Pope Francis is currently receiving treatment at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for pneumonia, having been admitted last week. This facility is historically significant as it was also the site where Pope John Paul II was treated after surviving an assassination attempt in 1981.
- Statue of Pope John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital
- First papal treatment at Rome's largest hospital
- Pope Francis admitted with pneumonia recently
- Gemelli Hospital known as "Pope's Hospital"
- Special Papal suite established in the 1980s
- Pope Francis has undergone multiple treatments there
The Gemelli Hospital, established in the 1960s, is one of Europe’s largest private hospitals, with over 1,500 beds. It has a notable history of treating popes, including Pope John Paul II, who was admitted approximately ten times during his 25-year papacy for various health issues, such as a benign intestinal tumor and advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Key facts about the Gemelli Hospital include:
- Opened in the 1960s, built on land donated by Pope Pius XI.
- Known as the “Pope’s Hospital,” it features a special Papal suite established in the 1980s.
- The Papal suite includes a living room, chapel, and is guarded by multiple security forces.
Pope Francis has a history of treatment at the Gemelli, including a colon operation in 2013 and treatment for bronchitis in March 2023. He has expressed gratitude to his medical team and has engaged with staff during his stays, including a pizza dinner with hospital workers. The hospital’s balcony allows the Pope to greet supporters, who often gather outside to pray for his health.
The Gemelli Hospital continues to play a vital role in the health care of popes, with Pope Francis currently under their care. The facility’s legacy includes its significant contributions to papal health and its ongoing service to the community.
