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Copyright of Santo: Rivista Francescana di Storia Dottrina Arte is the property of Associazione Centro Studi Antoniani and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In 1342 Pope Clement VI entrusted the care of the shrines in the Holy Land to the Friars Minor, and only 13 years later Innocent VI planned to give them also a hospital on Mount Sion for the poor and pilgrims founded by Sophia de Archangelis of Florence. Thus, the activity of guest houses and hospitals and the care of pilgrims was carried on through the presence of the Friars Minor in the Holy Land. The same care was also shown in looking after the local people on Mount Sion that passed, after the expulsion of the friars in 1555, to the friary of San Salvatore by way of its pharmacy, spice centre, and infirmary, and came to be known for its medicines, especially the Jerusalem Balsam of friar Anthony Menzani of Cuna. The history of the care of the sick by the friars in Jerusalem in behalf of pilgrims of every Christian Church (Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant) and of the local people (Muslams and Jews), and of the friars themselves, has been made known thanks to documents of the Custody of the Holy Land's Historical Archive in Jerusalem and especially through the register of the pharmacy and spice center of San Salvator and the record of its medical prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]