Richard Pampuri

Riccardo Pampuri, born Erminio Filippo Pampuri on 2 August 1897, was an Italian medical doctor and a veteran of the First World War who later became a religious brother. He served in the field hospitals of the war, was discharged in 1920 and resumed his studies, then opened his own practice, where he treated poor patients without charge. He founded the Band of Pius X, which he dedicated to medical care for the poor, and belonged to the Third Order of Saint Francis. He later professed vows as a member of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God and managed a free dental clinic in Brescia for his order. He died on 1 May 1930. The Catholic Church declared him venerable in 1978, beatified him in 1981 and canonized him on 1 November 1989.