many practical measures to help the poor and homeless

Palazzo Migliori, which was constructed in the early 1800s, served as the headquarters of the all-female Calasanziane religious order, which used the building to care for young single mothers.

After occupying the building for 70 years, the order relocated to new premises last year and the palace was renovated, leading to questions about how it would be used.

Sitting on prime real estate just off St Peter's Square, the building could have generated significant income for the Catholic Church as a luxury hotel, but Pope Francis had other intentions.

On its news website Vatican News, the Vatican said Pope Francis personally directed his Almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski (his officer in charge of distributing services to the poor) to convert it into a homelessshelter.

The shelter will operate day and night and will house male and female occupants as well as providing social support. ( Supplied: Community of Sant'Egidio )

The four-storey building will house around 50 men and women, although the 16-bedroom facility has capacity for more during cold winter temperatures, Cardinal Krajewski said.

The lower levels will be used to provide social support to the occupants, including computing, reading, recreation, and psychological counselling.

Volunteers can also use the building to prepare meals for homeless people who were sheltering elsewhere.

Cardinal Krajewski said the Vatican requested the construction company in charge of renovating the building employ homeless people during the overhaul.

The four-storey building was built in the early 1800s and was used for 70 years by a religious congregation devoted to helping single mothers. (