Over the years, many popes have visited the Bambino Gesù or as it is often called, “the Pope's hospital.” It has been the property of the Holy See for 100 years.
In 1958, Pope John XXIII visited it for the first time, establishing the papal tradition of going to see the sick children a few days before Christmas.
TIZIANO ONESTI
President, Bambino Gesù Hospital
The child mistook him for Santa Claus because he was a man dressed in white who came and brought little presents to the children who were sick.
His successor, Pope Paul VI, visited in 1968. He made a large donation to the Bambino Gesù.
TIZIANO ONESTI
President, Bambino Gesù Hospital
Paul VI made a large donation to the hospital, a donation from the Palidoro.
It is another hospital near a city right outside of Rome. It is a large children's hospital that is part of the Bambino Gesù system.
Pope John Paul II also visited the hospital on two occasions: in 1979 and 1982. The images that stand out are the times he greeted and blessed the children in the hospital.
Years later, in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI went to the Bambino Gesù.
But the pope who has visited the hospital the most times is Francis. He has gone three occasions: in 2013, 2018 and 2022.
The president of the hospital described one of the most moving moments from Francis' visits—when the children from Ukraine arrived.
TIZIANO ONESTI
President, Bambino Gesù Hospital
His last visit was very emotional. I indirectly witnessed it because I was not the president of the Bambino Gesù at the time, when the Ukrainian children came to us in 2022. During that visit, the Pope expressed his deep concern for a very vulnerable part of society. The Bambino Gesù is always committed to life. So we hosted all these children and there were many of them and it was really important. At that moment, the Holy Father showed us that he supports us.
More than the “Pope's hospital,” the Bambino Gesù is the place where medical quality and Christian charity meet in a special way.
CA
TR: KG
