In 1626, Rome’s new St Peter’s Basilica on Vatican Hill was consecrated. It replaced an earlier church on the same site. A magnificent piece of architecture executed on a grand scale, the Basilica remains one of the largest church buildings in the world. This image gives a great perspective of the colonnades stretching out –as if to embrace the world– thus creating St Peter’s Square. It is holy site for Catholics: –at the basilica, St Peter’s tomb is directly below the high altar.
Tag: St Peter’s Basilica
John Paul II moves Blessed Pope Innocent XI to another resting place
Workers at Saint Peter’s Basilica have begun their work to move the body of the soon to be beatified Pope John Paul II from the grottoes to the main basilica. He’ll be moved to the Chapel of Saint Sebastian where currently Blessed Pope Innocent XI (seen left) is resting (he was beatified by Pope Pius XII on 7 Oct 1956). I guess we’re tired of the silver faced Innocent of the 17th century in favor of John Paul II, Pontiff.
John Paul will, in fact, be among a number of other holy people to take up residence in this spot. Apparently in this area, Pope Saint Boniface IV was there as well as the relics of the martyrs: Saints Victor, Candidus and Laureatus, but they have since moved on.
The Chapel of Saint Sebastian, on the right side of the basilica as you walk in, and right before the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, is dedicated to the 3rd century martyr. Sebastian was murdered at the time of the Diocletian for confessing faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. Sebastian was first shot through with arrows, nursed to health and then later beaten to death. The chapel was completed by Pier Paolo Cristofari based on a design of Domenico Zampieri.
