The Pope, the Beggar, the Sick, and the Brotherhoods: Health Care and Poor Relief in 18th and 19th Century Rome

Poor relief and health care in 18th and 19th century Rome represent a special case within Italy and Europe. Characteristic for Rome was the very high proportion of foreigners who stayed in the town temporarily. As the capital of Catholic Christendom, Rome attracted innumerable pilgrims every year that all too often required social and medical help. In particular, the function of the food supply of the capital was specifically arranged to protect the existing order from the dangers of rebellion. The role of the pope always included also giving out alms, distributing food, and offering free meals to the poor – as in Santa Maria della Pietà in Campo Santo, where until 1798 thirteen indigents were fed every day. The resulting Italian welfare state certainly is not as bad as its reputation tends to suggest, although insurance and medical provisions are insufficient. Especially in Rome the welfare state was never able to crowd out the numerous subsidiary care organisations.