The grim reality of the time unfortunately confirmed this cruel practice, prompting the pope to build an institution to shelter abandoned children, the poor, and solitary women, while also providing free medical care for all. In a dream, an angel directed the pope to construct the hospital on the site of the former Schola Saxonum, which was still owned by King John Lackland, who then donated it to him. Named Santa Maria in Sassia, the hospital’s charitable and welfare mission was based on the rule set forth in the Liber Regulae, of the Hospitaller Order of the Holy Spirit, founded by Guido of Montpellier, its first master. The rule stated: “The patient is the master, and the doctor is his servant.” This principle quickly spread throughout Europe and was adopted by many hospitals.
