As Pope Francis receives treatment for pneumonia, we explore the Gemelli Hospital's rich history with the papacy, highlighting its special papal suite and past notable patients, including Pope John Paul II.
A Look Inside the Gemelli Hospital: Caring for the Papacy
A Look Inside the Gemelli Hospital: Caring for the Papacy
The Gemelli Hospital in Rome, renowned for its role in papal healthcare, continues to serve as a pivotal institution, currently treating Pope Francis for pneumonia.
The Gemelli Hospital, located in Rome, has earned its reputation as a crucial healthcare institution for the papacy. Recently, Pope Francis was admitted with pneumonia affecting both lungs, continuing a legacy that includes caring for past popes, notably John Paul II.
A statue of the late Pope John Paul II, carved from white Carrara marble, stands guard outside the hospital, a reminder of the significant medical events that have unfolded within its walls. John Paul II was famously treated here in 1981 after surviving an assassination attempt, and his numerous visits, around ten throughout his 25-year pontificate, underline the hospital's long-standing association with the papacy. His treatment included various serious conditions, from benign tumors to advanced Parkinson's disease.
Opened in the 1960s, the Gemelli Hospital boasts over 1500 beds and is one of Europe's largest private hospitals. Its establishment traces back to Pope Pius XI's donation of land to the theologian and physician Agostino Gemelli in 1934, solidifying its nickname, “the Pope's Hospital.” John Paul II humorously referred to it as “Vatican Three,” considering the papal residence and St. Peter's Square as the first two Vatican entities.
The hospital features a dedicated papal suite on the tenth floor—a stark, all-white apartment equipped with essential amenities. This area is safeguarded by a robust presence of Italian State Police and Vatican Gendarmerie. Alongside his bedroom, the suite includes a chapel for religious services, enabling the pope to maintain his spiritual responsibilities even during hospital stays.
Currently receiving care, Pope Francis has a history of treatment at the Gemelli, including a colon operation in 2013 and various medical issues throughout his papacy. He is known for his approachable demeanor and gratitude towards health workers; on previous occasions, he has shared meals with his medical team and even baptized newborns during his stays.
As flowers, cards, and candles are laid outside in support of his recovery, the Gemelli Hospital remains a symbol of compassion, care, and the intersection of health and faith in the life of the papacy.
