On the outside of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, a great statue of one of his most famous patients, Pope John Paul II, stands.
Made in white marble of Carrara, it represents the pontiff in its last years, hunched and grabbed a crucifix, with frown for pain.
The doctors of the Gemelli Hospital helped save the life of John Paul II, who was shot in a failed murder attempt in the Plaza de San Pedro in May 1981. He underwent a six -hour operation to extract a bullet from the abdomen.
It was the first time that a Pope received treatment at the largest medical center in Rome.
Among the current sanatorium patients is Pope Francis, who entered last week with a respiratory infection. He was diagnosed bilateral pneumonia In both lungs.
For Saturday morning, the press office of the Holy See assured that “the Pope has rested well.” However, he clarified, “is not out of danger” and will remain at the Gemelli Hospital “at least during the next week” to continue its treatment.
In his 25 years of pontificate, Juan Pablo II was admitted about 10 times, sometimes during prolonged stays.
He received treatment for various diseases, including a benign intestinal tumor, a hip fracture and a tracheotomy, when his Parkinson disease was in an advanced phase.
The Gemelli, a Catholic University Hospital, was inaugurated in the 60s. With more than 1,500 beds, it is one of the largest private sanatoriums in Europe.
Built in a field donated by Pope Pius XI to the theologian and doctor of Agostino Gemelli in 1934, he is known as the “Pope Hospital”.
John Paul II came to nickname “Vatican Tres”, being the Plaza de San Pedro el Vaticano Uno and the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, Vatican Dos.
In the 80s, the Gemelli created a special papal suite, which is still in use today.
It is a small apartment on the tenth plant, a totally white suite with austere and simple furniture.
In addition to the bedroom and bathroom, there is a living room with a sofa bed for its assistants and a chapel with a recliner and a large crucifix, where the Pope can attend, celebrate Mass or pray.
The long access corridor is guarded by the Italian State Police, the Vatican Gendarmerie body and the safety of the sanitarium.
The papal suite is reserved for pontiffs, but other patients receive treatment at the same plant.
There is a balcony where the Pope can look out to greet the faithful and pray the weekly prayer of the Angelus.
In the outer square of the hospital, supporters usually meet to pray for the health of the Pontiff. Flowers, cards, photos and candles are often deposited at the foot of the statue of John Paul II.
According to official announcements, Pope Benedict XVI never entered the hospital during his eight years of Papacy, although he visited him when his brother received treatment there in 2014.
Instead, Francisco has been treated several times in the Gemelli. In 2013, it was operated on the colon. In March 2023 he was treated by infectious bronchitis and that same year he underwent surgery by an intestinal hernia.
He has often seen him by thanking his medical team and other hospital workers.
At the end of a stay, he baptized a newborn and shared a pizza -based dinner with his doctors, nurses, assistants and security personnel of the Vatican.
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