A prominent statue of Pope John Paul II is located just outside Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, a facility known for its royal clientele in the heart of the city.

Crafted from exquisite white Carrara marble, this sculpture portrays the pontiff during his later years, showing him hunched over with a crucifix, a clear indication of his struggles.

Medical professionals at Gemelli played a crucial role in saving John Paul’s life after he was targeted in an assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square back in May 1981. He underwent a significant six-hour surgery to extract a bullet lodged in his abdomen.

This incident marked the first time a Pope received treatment at the largest medical facility in Rome.

Currently, Pope Francis is also a patient at Gemelli, having been admitted last week for treatment of a respiratory infection, with both lungs diagnosed with pneumonia.

During his 25-year reign as Pope, John Paul II was hospitalized at Gemelli approximately ten times for various health issues. These included treatment for a benign intestinal tumor, a fractured hip, and a tracheotomy performed when his Parkinson’s disease had progressed considerably.

Established in the 1960s, the Gemelli Hospital is a prominent Catholic healthcare institution, boasting over 1,500 beds, making it one of Europe’s largest private hospitals.

The hospital’s foundation was made possible by land given by Pope Pius XI to the theologian and medical practitioner Agostino Gemelli in 1934, leading to its nickname as the “Pope’s Hospital.” John Paul II even affectionately referred to it as “Vatican Three,” distinguishing it from St. Peter’s Square as “Vatican One” and the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo as “Vatican Two.”

In the 1980s, a special suite for papal use was established, which continues to serve its purpose today.

The papal suite is a modest apartment located on the tenth floor, characterized by an all-white aesthetic and minimalist furnishings. This suite includes a bedroom, bathroom, and a living area equipped with a sofa bed for aides, as well as a chapel fitted with a kneeler and a large crucifix for mass and prayer.

Security for the suite is tight, with the corridor leading to it monitored by Italian State Police, the Vatican Gendarmerie, and the hospital’s security team.

Although the papal suite is designated for popes, other patients can receive care on the same floor.

There is a balcony where the Pope can appear to greet his followers and recite the weekly Angelus prayer.

Supporters often gather in the square outside the hospital, lighting candles and laying flowers, cards, and photographs at the base of John Paul II’s statue, expressing their prayers for the pontiff’s recovery.

Official reports indicate that Pope Benedict XVI never required hospitalization during his eight-year papacy, although he did visit the hospital when his brother received care there in 2014.

Conversely, Pope Francis has visited the Gemelli Hospital multiple times. He underwent colon surgery in 2013 and received treatment for infectious bronchitis in March 2023, along with surgery for an intestinal hernia later that same year.

Pope Francis has frequently expressed gratitude to his medical team and hospital staff. On one occasion, he even baptized a newborn baby before enjoying a pizza dinner with his doctors, nurses, assistants, and security personnel.