The Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù (Child Jesus Pediatric Hospital) is a children’s hospital located in Rome (piazza di Sant’Onofrio 4).
Origins: An Act of Love That Changed the Destiny of Pediatric Care
The history of the hospital begins in 1869 with a touching episode. On the occasion of Duchess Arabella Salviati's birthday, her four children were uncertain about which gift would bring their mother the most joy. Guided by their father's advice, they realized that what the Duchess desired most was to help the needy children of Rome. In fact, during a visit to the San Giacomo Hospital, she had been deeply moved by the sight of two children sharing a bed in a room filled with adults. The image left such an impression that it dominated the conversation at dinner that evening. Wanting to make her dream come true, her children gifted her their "dindarolo" - a small piggy bank containing their few savings. This modest gesture of generosity became the first seed of a grand endeavor: on March 19, 1869, in the narrow Via delle Zoccolette, one of the poorest areas of Rome, the first pediatric hospital in Italy opened its doors.1
From the outset, the hospital received the support of Pope Pius IX, to whom Arabella Salviati wrote, requesting that the institution be dedicated to the Child Jesus (Bambino Gesù).
The hospital emerged during a period when the Italian healthcare system was still underdeveloped, and sick children, particularly those from impoverished backgrounds, received little to no adequate care. The first four patients were welcomed into a small facility, where their treatment was entrusted to two physicians and the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, who provided care with tireless dedication.2
The hospital was divided into a surgical ward, overseen by Alessandro Ceccarelli, and a medical ward, led by Pio Blasi, a physician known for translating Charles West's Lectures on the Diseases of Infancy and Childhood into Italian. Despite economic challenges and limited resources, the hospital soon gained recognition for the quality of its care.3
Growth Through Historical Milestones
As decades passed, the Bambino Gesù Hospital faced the political and social transformations of Italy: from the country's unification to the two World Wars, through the economic boom and the challenges of the 21st century.
In 1870, on the day the hospital inaugurated its first surgical theater, the Bersaglieri troops entered Rome through the famous breach at Porta Pia, marking a new chapter in the city's history. Despite these upheavals, the Bambino Gesù continued to serve as a key point of reference for the citizens of Rome. As demand for services increased, the hospital relocated to this new site on the Janiculum Hill - a place once linked to the final days of poet Torquato Tasso.
The only complication was the coexistence with the clergy residing in the Sant'Onofrio monastery, who were disturbed by the comings and goings of children, doctors, nurses, and parents.4
In the early 20th century, the hospital expanded thanks to private donations and support from the nobility and the Church. King Victor Emmanuel III and Queen Elena visited the hospital, with the Queen donating her villa in Santa Marinella to establish both a convalescent facility for patients and, when possible, a summer retreat for children from poor families.5
In 1924, the Salviati family donated the hospital to the Pope, thus transforming it into a Vatican institution. This transition marked a fundamental shift, as the hospital, now under the auspices of the Holy See (Santa Sede) , gained access to more substantial resources and the ability to attract increasingly qualified professionals.6
Wartime Resilience
During World War II, the Bambino Gesù faced dramatic conditions: bombings, medicine shortages, and severe logistical difficulties. It is recounted that in entire wards of 100 beds, only one bedpan and one thermometer were available; there was no electricity, and even basic cleaning tools were lacking. Despite this, the hospital never closed its doors. It continued to operate, sheltering displaced children and also offering refuge to Jews and political fugitives fleeing Nazi-Fascist persecution. Adults were disguised as doctors or child caregivers, while children blended in with the hospital's young patients.7
Rebirth and Modernization
Following World War II, the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital entered a period of expansion and renewal, gradually becoming a reference point for pediatric care at the international level. The postwar period, particularly from the 1950s onwards, was marked by significant organizational, technological, and scientific advances, transforming the hospital into a center of excellence in child healthcare.8
The connection with the Church remained strong. On Christmas Day 1958, Pope John XXIII personally visited the hospital, going from room to room and speaking with each child. It is told that one young patient, seeing his red cloak, mistook the Pope for Santa Claus.9
During this period, a training school for pediatric nurses was established, recognizing the vital role of a special form of nursing in the child’s healthcare.10
International Relations and Humanitarian Mission
The 1980s marked a period of internationalization for the hospital. In 1985, the first humanitarian mission was launched in Eritrea, where medical care was combined with public health education and vaccination programs. Collaborations followed, including with Buenos Aires, where an intensive care unit was established along with a training program for doctors and technicians.11
In 1925 the hospital also welcomed Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, known for her humanitarian work. During her visit to the Janiculum, she met with hospitalized children, offering them warmth and comfort. Moving through the wards without formality, Lady Diana shook hands, caressed the children, and spoke gently with families. Her visit brought international attention to the hospital, reinforcing its status in global pediatric care and highlighting the challenges faced by sick children.12
Pioneering Medical Innovation: Transplants and Research
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Bambino Gesù Hospital solidified its reputation as a leader in pediatric medicine. One of its most historic milestones was the first pediatric heart transplant in Italy, performed in 1986, followed by the first bone marrow transplant in 1989. These breakthroughs marked the beginning of a new era for the hospital, establishing it as a global center for pediatric organ transplantation.
Today, the hospital is a world leader in heart, liver, kidney, and bone marrow transplants in children, constantly innovating and advancing the frontiers of pediatric medicine.13
- Photos and main text by Camilla Marinelli ti.supmacla|illeniram.allimac#| (March 2025)
- Locate the item on this Google Map
Bibliography
- Andrea Casavecchia, L’Ospedale dei bambini. 1869-2019 Una storia che guarda al futuro, Rizzoli, Milano 2020, pp. 264