Pope Leo inaugurated the San Martino Outpatient Clinic located beneath St. Peter’s Colonnade on 14 November. The new facility opened its doors just ten years after the inauguration of the “Mother of Mercy” Clinic (also adjacent to St. Peter's Square), ahead of the World Day of the Poor on Sunday, November 16.

A place where the poor turn to the Church for care 

After the inauguration of the Academic Year at the Pontifical Lateran University, the Pope returned to the Vatican and, around noon, arrived at Largo San Martino—an area adjacent to Bernini's colonnade, long known for welcoming the poor. Here, there are showers for the homeless, a barber shop, and the Mother of Mercy Clinic, which Pope Francis strongly supported to provide care to those without documents, money, or access to the healthcare system.

The first stop of Pope Leo's visit was to the clinic itself. Accompanied by his Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, he met Dr. Massimo Ralli, Director of the Apostolic Almoner’s Outpatient Clinic, and Dr. Luigi Carbone, Director of Health and Hygiene at the Governorate of Vatican City. "It was a private visit," the Cardinal said, "because no one had been told the Pope was coming, so only the doctors on duty were there."

On Friday morning, there were about 8 doctors, 4 nurses, and 2 volunteers, who had already assisted 65 people by the time the Holy Father arrived. Pope Leo greeted them and asked about the clinic’s activities. 

Mental health care

Cardinal Krajewski highlighted how "the Pope was struck by the fact that among the doctors present, there were also psychiatrists. Our poor also need this kind of care, which is very difficult, because when a bone is broken, we immediately rush to the emergency room," he said, adding that "when it comes to mental health, everything becomes much harder."

The doctors come from the Gemelli Hospital and offer their expertise with dedication and patience. "They have a lot to do here because people trust them," the Almoner added. "We don’t ask for documents, and perhaps that affirms their dignity," he said, noting that they remain invisible, as they always are on the streets of Rome, "but here, assistance goes beyond name and country of origin. Here, what matters is your need."

A new service

"Good work, and thank you," the Pope said, as he looked out of a small window near the showers, leaving the staff visibly moved by his gesture. He then thanked those who worked on the restoration of the San Martino Outpatient Clinic, which, according to a statement from the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, now consists of two rooms equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and a radiology department.

A next-generation X-ray machine will make it possible to diagnose quickly and accurately cases of pneumonia, bone fractures, tumours, degenerative diseases, kidney stones, and intestinal obstructions—conditions often neglected among those living in poverty. These early diagnoses will allow doctors to start appropriate treatment as soon as possible, leading to a better quality of life for those who have nothing.

Seeing Jesus in the poor

The new clinic was made possible thanks to the collaboration with the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State Governorate and offers comprehensive care for those seeking medical assistance.

The two clinics are places of welcome and healing, restoring dignity to the poor who come to Cardinal Krajewski’s office. He underlined the fact that those seeking aid are people “in whom we do not see a homeless person, but the face of Jesus.”

Cardinal Krajewski said that what struck him during the Pope’s visit was the amazement on Pope Leo’s face as he learned about the statistics of the clinic: about 2,000 people per month receive care, and all necessary medications are completely free of charge. "We give them the prescription," the Cardinal explained, "and they enter the Vatican, greeted by the Swiss Guards and gendarmes, go to the Vatican Pharmacy, present their prescription, and receive the medications with no payment."

The Papal Almoner emphasized that this gesture helps prevent the poor from feeling rejected or inferior to others. "Everyone has a right, even the poor." Before leaving, the Pope thanked everyone present for their work and dedication.

In the week leading up to the World Day of the Poor on November 16, Cardinal Krajewski shared a message close to his heart: "I am a believer, a Catholic, and my logic is the logic of the Gospel. We truly help Jesus himself because He said He was naked, He was in prison, He was sick, and today we can say He was a refugee. We do all this for Him, who shows Himself through the different faces of the world."

"It’s hard to recognize Him," the cardinal continued, "we must make an effort; it takes faith. I thank the Lord for giving me that faith, and after 14 years of service as Almoner, I am now fully convinced that when we help—wash the body, give medicine, cut hair, and clothe people—we are helping Jesus himself." 

Free healthcare services

The San Martino Clinic will work alongside the Mother of Mercy Clinic, which offers free daily healthcare to those living in poverty, marginalization, or hardship—led by the principles of the Gospel and the Church’s Social Teaching.

The outpatient clinic will serve thousands of people each month, thanks to 120 volunteer doctors, nurses, and healthcare technicians. Some 10,000 people from about 139 different countries have received care. To date, 102,060 medical services have been offered completely free to those most in need, together with 141,200 packs of medication.

At the two clinics, those in need will be able to receive general and specialist medical visits, dental care, blood tests, and radiology exams. Moreover, services like removable dental prosthetics, eyeglasses, and hearing aids are offered if required. Prescribed medication is always completely free.

The imagination of charity

In recounting the origins of these infrastructures, the Cardinal recalled that Pope Francis' desire was to create a space dedicated to charity in St. Peter’s Square. "Under the Colonnade, it’s impossible," he explained. But after having looked around, he asked the Pope's permission to occupy the space used by the postal services building.

"Pope Francis then replied, 'You didn’t take it, you stole it from the Post Office,'" he laughed. All the other initiatives were subsequently born, including the showers, the barber shop, the clinic, and today, the San Martino Clinic, about which the Cardinal said, "I’m very happy."