
The Vatican is home to the iconic Bambino Gesù Hospital, also known as the Pope's Hospital. This hospital is a tertiary care academic children's hospital located in Rome, under the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Holy See. It was founded in 1869 by Duchess Arabella Salviati and has since become a leading centre for paediatric assistance and research, recognised both nationally and internationally. In February 2024, the Vatican announced that the hospital would be relocated to the former Carlo Forlanini hospital in Rome, recognising its excellence in paediatric healthcare and biomedical research.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the hospital | Bambino Gesù Hospital (Child Jesus Hospital) |
| Other names | The Pope's Hospital, OPBG |
| Location | Rome, Italy |
| Jurisdiction | Under extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Holy See |
| Type of hospital | Tertiary care academic children's hospital |
| Year founded | 1869 |
| Founder | Duchess Arabella Salviati |
| Number of departments | 10 pediatric departments |
| Number of specialties | Over 20 specialties |
| Number of patients | Over 900 patients |
| Year it became "the Pope's Hospital" | 1924 |
| New location | Former Carlo Forlanini hospital in Rome |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

The Pope's Hospital
The Bambino Gesù Hospital, also known as "the Pope's Hospital", is a paediatric hospital located in Rome. It was founded in 1869 by Duchess Arabella Salviati, modelled on the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris. In 1924, it was donated to the Holy See, becoming "the Pope's Hospital".
Nursing Union at Rush Hospital: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Bambino Gesù Hospital
The Bambino Gesù Hospital, also known as the "Pope's Hospital", is a paediatric hospital located in Rome. It was founded in 1869 by Duchess Arabella Salviati (although some sources name the founder as Duchess and Duke Salviati) and was the city's first hospital dedicated to children. In 1924, it was donated to the Holy See, and it became known as "the Pope's Hospital".
The hospital is a tertiary care academic children's hospital, providing over 20 specialties of healthcare through 10 paediatric departments. It is the largest paediatric polyclinic and research centre in Europe and is linked to major international centres in the field. In 2022 alone, the hospital recorded more than 95,000 ER admissions, 29,000 hospitalisations, 32,000 surgical and interventional procedures, and 2,500,000 outpatient services.
In recent years, the hospital has faced some controversies, including a 2014 Vatican investigation that found the hospital had become "more aimed at profit than on caring for children", with issues of overcrowding and poor hygiene contributing to deadly infections. However, hospital administrators disputed these findings, describing the investigation as a "hoax". In 2017, the hospital's former president, Giuseppe Profiti, and former treasurer, Massimo Spina, were charged with illicitly using money destined for the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital Foundation to renovate an apartment for Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Spina was later acquitted, while Profiti was convicted of a lesser offence of abuse of office.
In February 2024, it was announced that the hospital would be relocating to the former Carlo Forlanini hospital in Rome, recognising the hospital's excellence in paediatric healthcare and biomedical research.
John Force's Hospitalization: What Happened?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Medical Center
The Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Medical Center, also known as Ospedale Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza I.R.C.C.S., is a highly specialised religious hospital located in Rome, Italy. The hospital is situated in an extraterritorial area administered by the Holy See, recognised for its excellence in paediatric healthcare and biomedical research.
Covering an extensive area of about 100,000 square meters, the medical centre includes a main hospital complex, the "John Paul II" Polyclinic, and the ISBREMIT Research Centre. Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza is known for its outstanding professional team and comprehensive range of clinical and welfare activities. It has a dedicated research focus on genetics and hereditary-familial diseases, collaborating with the Italian Ministry of Health and leading research centres in Italy and Europe.
The hospital is closely associated with the nearby Convent of the Capuchin Friars, where San Pio da Pietrelcina lived and passed away. Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza has earned a reputation for providing exceptional medical care, particularly in the field of paediatrics, as recognised in the recent agreement between the Holy See and Italy regarding the new location of the "Pope's Hospital".
The centre is committed to standardising patient data and has participated in the "6th Data Partner Call" initiative. This project aims to integrate patient information from various sources, such as electronic medical records and registers, into a structured format that complies with the OMOP Common Data Model standard. By participating in this initiative, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza contributes to accelerating research and improving healthcare decision-making.
Overall, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Medical Center stands as a prestigious and dedicated healthcare institution, offering a combination of specialised medical services, a strong research focus, and a commitment to advancing healthcare through data standardisation initiatives.
Cleveland Clinic: A Top-Notch Hospital?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The hospital's new location
The Bambino Gesù Hospital, also known as the "Pope's Hospital", is relocating to the former Carlo Forlanini hospital in Rome. The hospital, which was founded in 1869 by Duchess Arabella Salviati, has been recognised as a research hospital since 1985 and is part of the network of the National Healthcare System in Rome. It is currently located in an extraterritorial area administered by the Holy See.
The new location of the Bambino Gesù Hospital will be in the area of the former Carlo Forlanini hospital in Rome. The Forlanini hospital was one of the most suitable places for the project, according to the declaration of intent signed by the Vatican and Italy. The declaration of intent outlines specific points, including the acquisition of the Forlanini complex by the Holy See, the granting of the right of superficie to INAIL, the construction of the new hospital by INAIL, and the leasing of the new hospital complex by INAIL in exchange for a fee.
The Bambino Gesù Hospital is the largest pediatric polyclinic and research center in Europe and is linked to major international centers. It offers over 20 specialties in pediatric healthcare through 10 pediatric departments. The hospital has become known for its high level of specialization in the treatment of children, not only from Rome or Italy but also from neighbouring European countries. In 2022 alone, the hospital recorded more than 95,000 ER admissions, 29,000 hospitalizations, and 32,000 surgical and interventional procedures.
The Bambino Gesù Hospital has a rich history and a paternal relationship with the Holy Father. It was the first royal Italian pediatric hospital, founded on the model of the Hôpital des Enfants Malades in Paris. The hospital was donated to the Holy See in 1924, becoming "the Pope's Hospital". Since then, it has been a point of reference for the care of sick children in Rome and around the world. The first Pope to visit was Pope John XXIII in 1958, followed by several other Popes over the years, including Pope Francis in 2017.
The new location of the Bambino Gesù Hospital will allow it to continue its mission of providing high-quality pediatric healthcare and conducting important research. The hospital's relocation is expected to be completed by 2030, and it will continue to be a leading institution in the medical and social care field.
Hospital Complaints: Are They Worth the Fuss?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The hospital's history
The Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, also known as the "Pope's Hospital", is a children's hospital located in Rome, Italy. It was founded in 1869 by Duchess Arabella Salviati and was modelled after the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris. In 1924, the hospital was donated to the Holy See and in 1985, it was officially recognised as a research hospital. Since 1980, it has become a significant point of reference for paediatrics at the national level due to its prestige and strengthened relations with the Italian National Health System.
The hospital is known for its excellence in paediatric healthcare and biomedical research, providing over 20 specialties of healthcare through 10 paediatric departments. It offers a range of services, including surgical and interventional procedures, intensive care, emergency care, and outpatient services. On average, the hospital provides 29,000 hospitalisations, 30,000 surgical procedures, and 2,000,000 outpatient services annually.
In 2014, Cardinal Parolin strengthened the Cardinal Secretary of State's authority over the hospital, and a second inquiry was commissioned by the Vatican in 2015. This inquiry concluded that there were no issues at the hospital. However, in 2017, the hospital faced legal charges when its former president, Giuseppe Profiti, and former treasurer, Massimo Spina, were accused of illicitly using funds intended for the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital Foundation to renovate an apartment for Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. While Spina was acquitted, Profiti was convicted of a lesser offence of abuse of office.
In February 2024, the Vatican announced that the Pope's Hospital would be relocating to the former Carlo Forlanini hospital in Rome. This decision was made through an agreement between the Holy See and Italy, recognising the hospital's excellence and the suitability of the new location. The declaration included specific points such as the acquisition of the Forlanini complex and the construction of the new hospital by INAIL, the National Institute for Insurance against Workplace Accidents.
Select Health: Sevier Valley Hospital Insurance Coverage
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is a hospital in the Vatican.
The hospital is called the Bambino Gesù Hospital, also known as "the Pope's Hospital".
The hospital is located in Rome, in an extraterritorial area administered by the Holy See.
The Bambino Gesù Hospital is a tertiary care academic children's hospital, providing over 20 specialties of healthcare through 10 pediatric departments. It is the largest pediatric polyclinic and research center in Europe and is recognised as a Scientific Institute for Clinical Research.
The hospital treats patients from Rome, Italy, and neighbouring European countries. It is a reference point for paediatric assistance worldwide and has recorded admissions from foreign nationals.











































