Pope visits Bambino Gesu hospital

Today Pope Francis visited the Vatican's 'Bambino Gesù' children's hospital. During his meeting with the director, Mariella Enoc, the Holy Father pledged his ongoing support for the hospital's latest project - 'adopting' the Pediatric Hospital of Bangui, in the Central African Republic.

Dr Enoc said that thanks to a donation from the Pope, they will be able to assist the hospital by providing medical formation, establishing a school that specializes in pediatric care and by building new wards.

Enoc also spoke to the Pope about how the Bambino Gesù Hospital has been active in helping support refugees and about an agricultural initiative in collaboration with FAO and the Italian state that aims to provide long-term solutions for the poor in the Central African Republic.

The Bambino Gesù' offers high quality health care, taking in children from across the world, many of whom from families who cannot afford to pay.

Dr Enoc said this is exactly what the 'Pope's Hospital' that has its roots in the Gospel is expected to do. She presented the Holy Father with one of the beautiful 'Madonna of Bangui' photographs that are part of the Bambino Gesù project to raise money for its sister hospital in the Central African Republic.

After the audience Mariella Enoc presented the 'Santa Marta pediatric dispensary,' where a team of Bambino Gesù doctors offer voluntary service, with an ultrasound scanner as sign of concrete commitment to help in the Pope's works of mercy.

Source: Vatican Radio