Pope Leo XIV inaugurates the San Martino Clinic beneath the Colonnade of St. Peter’s

On Friday morning, 14 November, Pope Leo XIV inaugurated the San Martino Clinic, located beneath the Colonnade of St. Peter’s. This new facility expands the adjacent clinic dedicated to the Mother of Mercy, which has already been active for ten years.

The clinic, which is under the responsibility of the Office of Papal Charities, was created in collaboration with the Health and Hygiene Directorate of the Governorate of Vatican City State. The works were carried out by the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services of the Governorate.

The facility consists of two rooms where the poor can receive medical examinations and tests thanks to state-of-the-art equipment. There is also a new radiology service which, through a latest-generation X-ray machine, will allow rapid and accurate diagnosis of pneumonia, bone fractures, tumors, degenerative diseases, kidney stones, and intestinal obstructions, according to a statement from the Office of Papal Charities.

The new facility will help make early diagnosis of illnesses and the timely prescriptions of appropriate treatments, helping to improve the quality of life of many poor and homeless individuals.

The inauguration took place just ahead of the 9th World Day of the Poor, which was celebrated on Sunday, 16 November. The two clinics provide general and specialist medical visits, dental care, blood tests and radiological examinations. Those who seek care at the clinics also receive the medications they need, as well as removable dental prostheses, eyeglasses, and hearing aids — all free of charge.

Among those present at the inauguration were Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almoner, Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Secretary General of the Governorate and Dr. Luigi Carbone, Director of the Health and Hygiene Directorate.