THE VATICAN, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – In his latest bid to ease the suffering of the poor — and upend the expectations of the papacy —   Pope Francis is building showers for the homeless under the sweeping white colonnade of St. Peter’s Square.

Three showers are to be built into refurbished public restrooms provided for Catholic pilgrims along the marble columns leading into the historic basilica, which was completed in 1626.

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of San Francisco has a different idea of providing free showers for the homeless who seek shelter at the doorways of St. Mary’s Cathedral, the principal church of the Archdiocese.

The cathedral, located at Geary and Gough Streets, has installed a watering system to keep the homeless from sleeping in its doorways. There are four tall side doors, with sheltered alcoves, that attract homeless people at night.

Water pours from a hole in the ceiling, 30 feet above, drenching the alcoves and anyone in it.  The ‘shower’ runs for about 75 seconds, every 30 to 60 minutes, soaking homeless people and their belongings.

In contrast, The Vatican is finishing renovations on public restrooms just off St. Peter’s Square that will include three showers and a barber shop for the homeless.

Each “homeless pilgrim,” as the Vatican called the clients, will receive a kit including a towel, change of underwear, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, razor and shaving cream. The showers will be open every day but Wednesday, when the piazza is full for the pope’s general audience. Haircuts will be available Mondays.

Barbers volunteering on their days off — Rome’s barber shops are closed Mondays — as well as students from a local beauty school will be donating their time, as well as some sisters from religious orders and other volunteers.

The bathrooms were made with high-tech, easy-to-clean materials to ensure proper hygiene, The Vatican said in a statement.

Perhaps, Pope Francis should summon San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone to The Vatican and give him a little re-orientation.

And maybe, the Archdiocese should be fined by the state for wasting water in the midst of California’s continuing drought conditions.