BREAKING Pope Leo XIV Inaugurates New Free Health Clinic for the Poor at the Vatican with Volunteer Health Professionals



Vatican, November 13, 2025: In the week that sees the Office of Apostolic Charities protagonist of the IX World Day of the Poor on Sunday, November 16, the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, inaugurates a new clinic under the Colonnade of St. Peter's to care for those most in need. Ten years after the opening of the Mother of Mercy Clinic, the facility of the Apostolic Charities that offers free healthcare daily to those living in situations of poverty, marginalization, or hardship, directly referring to the principles of the Gospel and the Social Doctrine of the Church, a new space is being added to further improve the service and increase the range of healthcare services provided every day to those in need.

Developed in collaboration with the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Governorate of Vatican City, the new San Martino Clinic is being inaugurated today;

Equipped with two new examination rooms equipped with cutting-edge equipment and a new radiology service which, thanks to a latest-generation X-ray machine, will allow the rapid and accurate diagnosis of pneumonia, bone fractures, tumors, degenerative diseases, kidney stones, and intestinal obstructions—conditions often overlooked in those living in poverty. Early diagnosis of these conditions will allow for the prompt initiation of appropriate treatment, helping to improve the quality of life of those who have nothing.
At the Papal Charities clinic, over 2,000 health services are provided completely free of charge every month thanks to the work of 120 volunteer doctors, nurses, and health technicians. Approximately 10,000 poor people of 139 different nationalities are assisted. To date, 102,060 healthcare services have been provided completely free of charge to the neediest and 141,200 packages of medicines have been distributed.
Thanks to the two clinics, located under Bernini's Colonnade, it will be possible to continue providing the poor with general and specialist medical checkups, dental visits, blood tests, and radiology tests. Removable dentures, glasses, and hearing aids will also be donated.
Finally, the medicines they need will be delivered directly into the hands of the poor—always completely free of charge. These are places where people are welcomed and cared for, thus restoring dignity to the poor who knock on the door of the Almoner's Office, those in need "where we do not see a homeless person, a poor person, but the face of Jesus," as emphasized by Cardinal Krajewski, Almoner of His Holiness.

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