The Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ Matthew Festing, visited the first-aid post in St. Peter’s Square, situated a few metres from the entrance to the basilica, where the Order of Malta’s volunteers offer daily medical assistance to pilgrims all year round.

The Grand Master was greeted by a line-up of volunteers with the facility’s manager, Prof. Domenico Arduini, and medical director, Dr. Piero Paolo Visentin. The Grand Master wanted to personally thank each volunteer for the work they carry out in full compliance with the Order’s ancient mission of assistance to pilgrims.

Fra’ Matthew Festing then visited the medical facility, which has four beds, including one for children, and all the medical equipment necessary for first-aid procedures. Professor Arduini reviewed the activities carried out in 2013, during which the first-aid post tripled its interventions to 1,400, also thanks to its electric ambulance cart and ambulance.

During the visit, the Sovereign Order of Malta’s embassy in Slovenia donated a new electrocardiograph to the first-aid post.

The 92 volunteers of the Order of Malta’s first-aid post have been assisting pilgrims for over 35 years and in particular during the general audience on Wednesdays and the religious ceremonies held in St. Peter’s Square.