Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House of Relief of Suffering) Hospital is one of Padre Pio’s greatest legacies – He was able complete this project thanks to the generosity of millions of devotees from every country in the world – Padre Pio didn’t want it to be a hospital like all the others; he wanted it to be a home, a place where patients could feel at ease.
Padre Pio’s hospital: Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House of Relief of Suffering)
Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House of Relief of Suffering) Hospital is one of Padre Pio’s greatest legacies. He was able complete this project thanks to the generosity of millions of devotees from every country in the world. When Padre Pio proposed the idea to his church brothers, they all believed it would be impossible to build such a big hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo, especially during war times (World War II, 1939-1945). However, Padre Pio – himself a living picture of suffering – understood clearly how important the hospital would be.
The idea for Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital began on January 9th, 1940. On that day, Padre Pio met with three friends – his spiritual followers – and formed a foundation committee. Padre Pio was the founder, Dr. Guglielmo Sanguinetti was the secretary, and Ida Seitz was the organizational leader. Padre Pio said: “This evening, I begin my earthly work. I bless you, and all those who will labor with us in this great work, which will be greater and more beautiful with each passing day.”
Once the war had ended, they were able to begin the construction of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital on May 19th, 1954. On July 24th, 1954, the first surgery rooms were open to the public, and on May 10th, 1956, the first patient was admitted.
At its beginnings, the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza had 300 beds available, and 15 years later it had 900 beds available. Today, records show that around 57,000 patients have been admitted, and more than 1.3 million medical treatments are administered each year. Padre Pio wanted the hospital to be of the highest quality. Today it is considered one of the best hospitals in Italy.
When Padre Pio was still alive, he would often visit the sick, give them a blessing, and sometimes even celebrate Holy Mass. Padre Pio didn’t want it to be a hospital like all the others; he wanted it to be a home, a place where patients could feel at ease. Padre Pio said: “Inside those who are sick, Jesus is suffering. Inside those who are sick and poor, Jesus is there twofold.”
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