The Gemelli Hospital, known as the "Pope's Hospital," is currently treating Pope Francis for pneumonia. This facility also holds a significant history of caring for previous popes, including John Paul II, who was a patient there multiple times.
The Care Behind the Papacy: A Look at the Gemelli Hospital
The Care Behind the Papacy: A Look at the Gemelli Hospital
Discover how Rome's Gemelli Hospital continues to support its most notable patient, Pope Francis, amidst a rich history of papal care.
The Gemelli Hospital, renowned as the "Pope's Hospital," is once again in the spotlight due to the current treatment of Pope Francis, who was admitted with pneumonia affecting both lungs. Located in Rome, this prominent Catholic teaching hospital has a storied past, particularly with popes as patients.
The hospital's legacy began with Pope John Paul II, who was famously treated there after surviving an assassination attempt in 1981. The large statue of John Paul II, crafted from Carrara marble, stands outside the Gemelli, a reminder of his numerous stays that totaled around ten during his 25-year papacy. From a tracheotomy in response to his Parkinson's disease to surgeries for various ailments, John Paul’s history at the Gemelli solidified the institution's reputation in papal healthcare.
Founded in the 1960s on land contributed by Pope Pius XI, Gemelli boasts over 1,500 beds, making it one of Europe's largest private hospitals. In the 1980s, the facility established a dedicated Papal suite—a simple yet functional apartment equipped with a bedroom, a living area, and a chapel for personal worship. Security remains tight, with a presence from the Italian State Police and Vatican Gendarmerie protecting the corridor leading to this special suite.
Visitors and well-wishers regularly gather outside the hospital, continuing a tradition from John Paul II's era, where flowers, cards, and candles are laid at his statue as they pray for the pontiff’s well-being.
As for Pope Francis, he has made several visits to the Gemelli during his papacy: he underwent colon surgery in 2013 and was treated for infectious bronchitis earlier this year. His interactions with hospital staff show a deep appreciation for their care; he has famously baptized newborns and shared meals with his medical team.
While Pope Benedict XVI avoided the hospital during his papacy, the Gemelli remains an essential part of a modern pope's healthcare narrative. As Pope Francis battles pneumonia, the hospital's capacity to provide not just medical, but spiritual support to its iconic patients, continues to fulfill a significant role in the Catholic Church's ongoing story.
