In a testament to its rich history and commitment to care, Gemelli Hospital has been a significant healthcare provider for several popes, including the current Pope Francis, who is battling pneumonia.
A Look Inside Rome’s Revered Gemelli Hospital: The Pope’s Place of Healing
A Look Inside Rome’s Revered Gemelli Hospital: The Pope’s Place of Healing
Pope Francis receives care at the Gemelli Hospital, a landmark site where papal history intertwines with modern medicine.
Pope John Paul II’s statue stands sentinel outside the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, a site steeped in papal history and healthcare. Originally a Catholic teaching hospital, Gemelli opened its doors in the 1960s and has since gained the nickname "the Pope's Hospital." It occupies land once donated by Pope Pius XI and boasts over 1,500 beds, making it one of Europe's largest private hospitals.
The hospital gained prominence in 1981 when Pope John Paul II was rushed there following a life-threatening assassination attempt, where he underwent emergency surgery to have a bullet removed from his abdomen. Throughout his 25-year papacy, he was treated at Gemelli multiple times for various ailments, including tracheotomy for advanced Parkinson's, a broken hip, and intestinal issues.
Currently, Pope Francis, the present pontiff, was admitted with pneumonia affecting both of his lungs. His previous visits to Gemelli included surgeries and treatments for colon issues and bronchial infections. Over time, he has developed a rapport with the medical staff, even taking moments to bless newborns and share casual dinners with his caregivers.
The Gemelli features a dedicated Papal suite—an all-white, modestly furnished apartment on the tenth floor. With facilities for rest, prayer, and even a mini chapel, it is a space designed for spiritual and physical recovery. Guards from the Italian State Police and Vatican Gendarmerie protect this area, ensuring the Pope's safety while he addresses the faithful from the balcony.
As Pope Francis recuperates, crowds gather outside, offering prayers and well-wishes, leaving flowers and candles in tribute to the resilience and compassion of the papacy and its engagements with healthcare—the heartbeat of the Gemelli Hospital's legacy.
The hospital gained prominence in 1981 when Pope John Paul II was rushed there following a life-threatening assassination attempt, where he underwent emergency surgery to have a bullet removed from his abdomen. Throughout his 25-year papacy, he was treated at Gemelli multiple times for various ailments, including tracheotomy for advanced Parkinson's, a broken hip, and intestinal issues.
Currently, Pope Francis, the present pontiff, was admitted with pneumonia affecting both of his lungs. His previous visits to Gemelli included surgeries and treatments for colon issues and bronchial infections. Over time, he has developed a rapport with the medical staff, even taking moments to bless newborns and share casual dinners with his caregivers.
The Gemelli features a dedicated Papal suite—an all-white, modestly furnished apartment on the tenth floor. With facilities for rest, prayer, and even a mini chapel, it is a space designed for spiritual and physical recovery. Guards from the Italian State Police and Vatican Gendarmerie protect this area, ensuring the Pope's safety while he addresses the faithful from the balcony.
As Pope Francis recuperates, crowds gather outside, offering prayers and well-wishes, leaving flowers and candles in tribute to the resilience and compassion of the papacy and its engagements with healthcare—the heartbeat of the Gemelli Hospital's legacy.
