Yesterday evening at 5:00pm local time in Rome, the Holy Father Francis payed a devotional visit to the tomb of Saint Peter located in the Vatican necropolis, under the Vatican Basilica.
The Pope was accompanied by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica and by a delegation of representatives from the Offices of the Fabric of Saint Peter's (those who are immediately responsible for the physical oversight of the Vatican Basilica). This delegation was made up of His Excellency, Vittorio Lanzani; the Holy Father's secretary, Monsignor Alfred Xuereb and two others who are responsible for the Vatican necropolis: Doctor Pietro Zander and Doctor Mario Bosco.
This is the first time that one of the Popes has visited the Vatican necropolis.
On the way to the tomb of Saint Peter, having descended from ground level, the Holy Father walked along the main pathway of the Necropolis. This pathway travels below the Vatican Basilica and also below the level of the Vatican Grotto (where the tombs of the most recent popes are located). As he walked along, Cardinal Comastri and Doctor Zander explained the work of excavation that has been completed and the tombs that are located along the way toward that of Saint Peter himself.
Finally, His Holiness arrived at the tomb of Saint Peter, located directly below the high altar and the dome of the Basilica. In the Clementine chapel, which is the chapel located closest to the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, the Pope paused for a moment of silent prayer and meditation. This was a very emotional moment for him.
Afterward, the visit continued in the Vatican Grotto where Pope Francis paid homage to the tombs of the Popes who served during the last century - those who served during the past century: Benedict XV, Pius XI, Pius XII, Paul VI and John Paul I.
After exiting the Grotto, Pope Francis greeted the staff members who were present, and then returned on foot to the Casa Sanctae Marthae, since he had also walked to the entrance of the necropolis (located just inside the Door of the Bells, on the left-hand side of Saint Peter's Basilica).
The visit, which began at 5:00pm, concluded at 5:45pm.
The Pope was accompanied by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica and by a delegation of representatives from the Offices of the Fabric of Saint Peter's (those who are immediately responsible for the physical oversight of the Vatican Basilica). This delegation was made up of His Excellency, Vittorio Lanzani; the Holy Father's secretary, Monsignor Alfred Xuereb and two others who are responsible for the Vatican necropolis: Doctor Pietro Zander and Doctor Mario Bosco.
This is the first time that one of the Popes has visited the Vatican necropolis.
On the way to the tomb of Saint Peter, having descended from ground level, the Holy Father walked along the main pathway of the Necropolis. This pathway travels below the Vatican Basilica and also below the level of the Vatican Grotto (where the tombs of the most recent popes are located). As he walked along, Cardinal Comastri and Doctor Zander explained the work of excavation that has been completed and the tombs that are located along the way toward that of Saint Peter himself.
Finally, His Holiness arrived at the tomb of Saint Peter, located directly below the high altar and the dome of the Basilica. In the Clementine chapel, which is the chapel located closest to the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, the Pope paused for a moment of silent prayer and meditation. This was a very emotional moment for him.
Afterward, the visit continued in the Vatican Grotto where Pope Francis paid homage to the tombs of the Popes who served during the last century - those who served during the past century: Benedict XV, Pius XI, Pius XII, Paul VI and John Paul I.
After exiting the Grotto, Pope Francis greeted the staff members who were present, and then returned on foot to the Casa Sanctae Marthae, since he had also walked to the entrance of the necropolis (located just inside the Door of the Bells, on the left-hand side of Saint Peter's Basilica).
The visit, which began at 5:00pm, concluded at 5:45pm.
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