Fit for a pontiff: Inside the Roman hospital caring for Pope Francis

In the heart of Rome, the Gemelli Hospital stands as a significant institution, especially known for its connection to the papacy. A striking statue of the late Pope John Paul II greets visitors outside the hospital. This statue, crafted from beautiful white Carrara marble, captures the pope in his later years, holding a crucifix and displaying a look of deep concern. The Gemelli Hospital played a crucial role in saving Pope John Paul II's life after he was shot in a failed assassination attempt in May 1981. The doctors performed a six-hour surgery to remove a bullet from his abdomen, marking a historic moment as it was the first time a pope received treatment at Rome's largest hospital. Currently, Pope Francis is receiving care at the same hospital due to a respiratory infection, which has been diagnosed as pneumonia affecting both of his lungs.

Pope John Paul II had a long and impactful papacy that lasted 25 years, during which he was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital approximately ten times. His health issues varied, including a benign intestinal tumor, a broken hip, and a tracheotomy when his Parkinson's disease progressed. The Gemelli Hospital, a Catholic teaching hospital, opened its doors in the 1960s and has grown to become one of the largest private hospitals in Europe, boasting over 1500 beds. The land for the hospital was generously donated by Pope Pius XI to the esteemed theologian and physician Agostino Gemelli in 1934. Due to its close ties with the papacy, the hospital has earned the nickname 'the Pope's Hospital. ' John Paul II affectionately referred to it as 'Vatican Three,' with St Peter's Square being 'Vatican One' and the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo as 'Vatican Two.

In the 1980s, the Gemelli Hospital established a special suite for popes, which remains in use today. This suite is located on the tenth floor and features a minimalist design with all-white decor. It includes a bedroom, a bathroom, and a living room, along with a chapel equipped with a kneeler and a large crucifix for the pope to pray and celebrate mass. The corridor leading to this papal suite is heavily guarded by the Italian State Police, the Vatican Gendarmerie, and hospital security personnel. While this suite is reserved for popes, other patients are treated on the same floor. There is also a balcony where the pope can appear to greet the faithful and recite the weekly Angelus prayer. Many well-wishers gather outside the hospital to pray for the pope's health, often leaving flowers, cards, and candles at the foot of the statue of John Paul II.