Gemelli Hospital: Where Popes Receive Care and Healing

A Look Inside the Gemelli Hospital: Where Pope Francis Receives Treatment

Located in the heart of Rome, the Gemelli Hospital is renowned not only for its advanced medical services but also for its deep connection to the Vatican. Outside its doors stands a striking marble statue of the late Pope John Paul II, commemorating one of the most significant figures in the hospital’s history. The statue depicts the Pope during his final years, holding a crucifix, his face etched with pain, reflecting the challenges he endured in his final days.

In 1981, following an assassination attempt at St. Peter’s Square, doctors at Gemelli played a pivotal role in saving Pope John Paul II’s life. He underwent a six-hour surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his abdomen, a dramatic and successful intervention.

For Pope Francis, the Gemelli Hospital has become a familiar place. Last week, the pontiff was admitted after being diagnosed with a respiratory infection. His condition was later revealed to include bilateral pneumonia, and by the weekend, he had also been diagnosed with an early-stage kidney issue.

The hospital, established in the 1960s and built on land donated by Pope Pius XI, is one of Europe’s largest private medical institutions with over 1,500 beds. Known formally as "Hospital of the Pope," it has been a central site for papal health care for decades. In the 1980s, a specialized unit dedicated to serving the needs of popes was set up—a unit that remains operational today.

Pope John Paul II was a frequent patient at Gemelli during his 25-year papacy, requiring hospitalization nearly ten times for various health issues, including a tracheotomy, a hip fracture, and complications from Parkinson's disease. His relationship with the hospital was so close that he affectionately dubbed it “Vatican Three,” with St. Peter’s Square as “Vatican One” and his residence at Castel Gandolfo as “Vatican Two.”

Currently, the special papal suite on the tenth floor is designed to offer a modest yet functional space for the pontiff’s recovery. Equipped with a bed, a small living area, and a private chapel for prayer, the suite is shielded by tight security, with Italian police and Vatican security forces ensuring the pope’s safety.

Despite its high-profile patients, the hospital remains a busy medical facility, serving patients from all walks of life. Often, crowds of well-wishers gather outside to pray for the health of the pope, leaving flowers, photos, and candles beneath the statue of John Paul II.

Pope Benedict XVI, who served as pontiff for eight years, was never hospitalized during his papacy. However, he did visit Gemelli in 2014, when his brother was receiving treatment. Pope Francis, meanwhile, has had several medical procedures performed at Gemelli, including surgeries in 2013 and 2023. He is known to express his gratitude to the hospital staff, once even baptizing an infant and sharing a pizza dinner with doctors, nurses, and Vatican security.