House for the Relief of Suffering (Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza), founded by Padre Pio, is a hospital where medical expertise meets human compassion. Inspired by the saint’s vision, it serves as a loving refuge for the sick. Padre Pio personally visited patients, bringing comfort and hope. The hospital continues his mission of offering care with an open heart for those in need.
Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House for the Relief of Suffering)
The hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House for the Relief of Suffering), located in San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy, is one of Padre Pio’s most extraordinary achievements. It was made possible by the generosity of millions of devoted followers from around the world. During a time marked by the suffering of World War II (1939–1945), the idea of building such a large hospital seemed unattainable to his fellow religious brothers. However, Padre Pio, a living embodiment of pain, profoundly understood the urgent need for a place where the sick could find relief from their suffering and restore their dignity.
The Birth of the Project: From Idea to Completion
The idea began to take shape on January 9, 1940, when Padre Pio gathered with three close friends—his spiritual children—to establish the founding committee. Padre Pio led the effort, supported by Dr. Guglielmo Sanguinetti as secretary and Miss Ida Seitz as organizer. During this meeting, Padre Pio declared with solemnity: “Tonight marks the beginning of my earthly Work. I bless you and everyone who will contribute to this Work, which will grow ever greater and more beautiful.” Despite the challenges of wartime, construction began on May 19, 1947, after the conflict ended. The first outpatient clinics opened to the public on July 24, 1954, and on May 10, 1956, the hospital welcomed its first patient.
A Place of Excellence and Compassion
From its inauguration, House for the Relief of Suffering operated with 300 beds. Today, it has grown into one of the leading hospitals in Italy and Europe, now hosting approximately 1,000 beds and handles around 60,000 admissions annually, along with providing over 1.3 million outpatient services each year. House for the Relief of Suffering has two main areas of activity: one is an internationally renowned hospital for the relief of suffering, and the other is a state-of-the-art scientific research center. The latter was granted the status of a Scientific Hospitalization and Treatment Institute (IRCCS), an institute of national interest.
The hospital is at the forefront of medical advancements, and despite its innovative healthcare practices, House for the Relief of Suffering remains committed to a patient-centered approach. This is a lasting tribute to Padre Pio’s mission. For the Saint of Pietrelcina, the hospital was meant to be more than a medical facility; it was to be a true home for the sick, where they would feel welcomed and loved. He often said: “In the sick person is Jesus who suffers. In the poor sick person is Jesus twice.”
Padre Pio Among the Sick
During his lifetime, Padre Pio frequently visited patients at the hospital, offering words of comfort and his blessings. Occasionally, he celebrated Mass within the hospital walls, turning it into a place of faith and hope. His presence was more than physical—it embodied the love he wished to impart through every detail of House for the Relief of Suffering. Today, the spiritual and human legacy of Padre Pio lives on through the tireless work of the doctors, nurses, and staff of House for the Relief of Suffering. The hospital remains faithful to its founder’s original mission: providing world-class medical care with a heart open to the needs of the most vulnerable.
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