?At the medical-health clinic of the Office of Papal Charities – New podiatrist service

Calluses – known as hyperkeratosis in the world of science –, ingrown fingernails and toenails,
hypertrophied feet are among the ailments that can now be treated in the clinic
run by the Office of Papal Charities in the colonnade surrounding St Peter’s
Square. Located next to the showers and barber shop, the clinic began providing
podiatrist services on Monday morning, 14 March, for these common and often
painful conditions of those who live on the street.

According to Papal Almoner Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the
service – provided by the Association of Italian Podiatrists – is free of
charge. The project is headed by Mauro Montesi of La Sapienza University of
Rome and president of the Association of Italian Podiatrists. Every Monday from
8:30 am to 12:00 pm one specialist and three third-year podiatry students will
assist those requiring services. The care and the number of days the clinic
provides these services are expected to increase. Podiatrist Silvana De Luca
was the first of five specialists to
work the rotation. Each week the specialist will be accompanied by three
different students. In the near future, the clinic hopes to have additional
medical equipment so as to intervene more effectively.