Today, 18 September 2023 at 10:30 am, the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God was honoured with an audience with the Holy Father, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of its mission in the Vatican Pharmacy (1874-2024).

The Brothers of the Order and co-workers of the Vatican Pharmacy, some 150 people, were received by Pope Francis.

Also present were the Brothers attending the Course in preparation for Solemn Profession, coming from every part of the world where the Order is present.

There were naturally many dignitaries from the Vatican and the Order in attendance,including Cardinal Vérgez, President of the Governatorate, Sister Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General, the Father General, Brother Jesús Etayo Arrondo, two General Councillors, the Brothers of the General Curia, the Prior and Director of the Pharmacy, Brother Thomas Binish, the Brothers of the Vatican Pharmacy Community, the Pharmacy Chaplain, Father Julian, and others.

In his address to the employees of the Vatican Pharmacy, the Pope reminded them that the pharmacist “does not just hand out medicines, but transmits courage and closeness;” to express the true meaning of the Vatican Pharmacy, which is "called to a ‘supplement of charity’, carrying out a service that, in addition to the sale of medicines, is required to distinguish itself for its attention to the most fragile people and for the care of those who are ill. It is a commitment not only to Vatican employees and residents in Vatican City, but also to those who need special medicines, which are often hard to obtain elsewhere.”

With regard to the Brothers, the Pope looked back to the roots of history, recalling that “the institution realized a dream of Pope Gregory XVI, a Camaldolese monk who was well aware of the importance of the pharmacy annexed to the monastery. It was then Blessed Pius IX who realized dream, entrusting to the Superior General of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God the task of establishing a pharmacy in the Vatican.”

Pope Francis then recalled that the Order had “a  long tradition in this area, with the pharmacy of the religious house also serving outsiders in many places. Thus, Brother Eusebio Frommer, a Fatebenefratelli religious, was chosen as the first pharmacist, and your unique story began. One hundred and fifty years ago!

“Still reminiscing, almost flipping through an album of photographs together, it is good to recall an important moment, namely the service of your Order during Vatican II. Every morning, before the start of the Council sessions, the Pharmacy premises were crowded with bishops of all nationalities for the purchase of medicines, and while a small group of consecrated religious tried to satisfy requests in the various languages, two other religious nurses were present at the fixed first-aid stations, together with a doctor and two stretcher bearers, for any other needs.”

The Pope then thanked everyone, the Fatebenefratelli Community, the lay co-workers, pharmacists and employees, and urged them to “keep going with generosity…. Yours is not a profession, it is a mission, because every day you can do so much good, both by making the service of the Vatican Pharmacy ever more efficient and modern, and by manifesting that attentive care and that caring welcome which are a witness to the Gospel for those who come into contact with you.”

His closing words were: “Be very patient, remembering that patience is the litmus test of love. And, finally, a small piece of spiritual advice: every day, raise your eyes to the Crucifix, turning your gaze to God, pierced and wounded. The service you provide to the sick is a service rendered to him. And it is good to draw patience and benevolence from the heavenly Doctor, and the strength to love, without tiring. In his school, from the desk of the cross to the counter of the pharmacy, may you too be daily dispensers of mercy. I bless you and ask you, please, to pray for me. Thank you.”

After the audience at about 11:00 am the Brothers enjoyed light refreshments and a visit to the Vatican Pharmacy, for the first time for some, where the day’s work had already begun.