At first glance it looks like an ordinary walk-in clinic. However, its mission goes far beyond that.
MASSIMO RALLI
Director, Mother of Mercy Clinic
It exists to care for those who are poorest and most in need. Many are people who have no documents. In the clinic they find many doctors, many nurses, and volunteers who welcome them, care for them, and in doing so help restore their dignity.
The clinic offers 26 specialties, ranging from cardiology and ophthalmology to orthopedics and dentistry.
MASSIMO RALLI
Director, Mother of Mercy Clinic
There are technicians who make dental prosthetics for the poor, giving them their teeth back. All eye and ear conditions are treated. New glasses are provided, hearing aids are given out, blood tests are performed, and physiotherapy is offered.
After spending a morning here, it is clear how valuable this center is for those who come seeking care. People with limited resources arrive one by one, many experiencing this kind of medical attention for the first time.
This is the first time, but the experiences are good. Yes, really good.
At this clinic, the first thing I did was a dental visit and it went quite well. Now I am waiting to have my lab work done.
The clinic was established by Pope Francis whose commitment to the poor is now carried forward by Pope Leo XIV. With around 60 to 70 people arrive here each day.
Since its opening in 2017, many stories have unfolded within its modest space that reveal how important this clinic is for those in need. Here is one of them:
MASSIMO RALLI
Director, Mother of Mercy Clinic
A beautiful story that I hold close to my heart is that of a young woman who did not know she was pregnant. She came here asking for a pregnancy test. She could not afford to buy one at a pharmacy, so we did it here. We discovered she was pregnant. We accompanied her through the entire process and later she brought the baby so the nurses who had cared for her could meet the child.
The team is small, and each role is essential. From the doctors and reception staff to the volunteers who greet visitors, everyone plays a crucial part.
GIUSEPPE
Volunteer, Patient Reception
I am not a healthcare worker. I simply welcome people in the morning. For the small needs of daily life, my job is to ask ‘How are you?’ or to listen to what they are going through.
The people who come here are very grateful for the care they receive. However, it is not necessary that they feel grateful or that I feel it. We see each other in the morning, and we become friends, in a manner of speaking, with those who come more often.
Beyond providing medical care, this clinic offers a sense of humanity. Every gesture, every consultation, and every smile seeks to restore dignity to those who need it most. It is a small space that, thanks to the dedication of volunteers and professionals, becomes a refuge that transforms lives every day.
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