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Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Secret ancient papal palace where Popes lived before the Vatican is unearthed in Rome
The grand basilica was designed in the 4th century AD HOLY PAD Secret ancient papal palace where Popes lived before the Vatican is unearthed in Rome Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed ruins from a hidden ancient palace which housed popes for centuries before the Vatican was established. The discoveries give a rare glimpse into the dangers faced by the papacy in Rome's medieval times. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of the first residence of popes Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture 5 Defensive walls were excavated in the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, the square outside the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture 5 These walls date as far back as the 9th century AD Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture Archaeologists stumbled upon complex architecture beneath the square outside the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome while making renovations for Jubilee 2025 (the Catholic Holy Year). They unearthed large walled structures made of volcanic rock bricks, known as tuff, that date back to the 9th through the 13th centuries AD. Some of these bricks had been reused from earlier buildings, and signs of restoration were visible in some of the walls. This structure is believed to be part of the Patriarchio - the ancient palace which served as the popes' official residence from the 4th century until the early 14th century. This monumental basilica was designed by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century after the famous Edict of Milan (313 AD) legalised Christianity in the Roman Empire. The palace complex was expanded and renovated during the Middle Ages, according to the Italian Ministry of Culture. These walled structures are said to have acted as a defensive barrier, shielding the papacy from power struggles among Rome's aristocratic families and raids by Saracens. The Italian ministry said: 'The construction of the structure just described took place during a long period in which Rome was the object of the raids of the Saracens, and inside it there were continuous struggles, sometimes violent, between the aristocratic families." 'Saracens' was the term used for various Arab groups that launched coastal raids in Italy during the 9th and 10th centuries and later clashed with European armies during the Crusades. 'Hence the hypothesis that this mighty wall, also due to its shape, had the function of a defensive wall around the complex of the Basilica and the annexed buildings," the ministry explained. New Pope Leo XIV accused of 'looking the other way' over sex abuse allegations against priests in Chicago & Peru It said this discovery is 'of extraordinary importance' to Rome's history, as these are the most extensive archaeological excavations of the square to have taken place. Gennaro Sangiuliano, the Italian Minister of Culture, said: 'The discoveries of Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano are yet another demonstration of the richness of the territory of Rome, an inexhaustible mine of archaeological treasures.' Sangiuliano added: 'Every single stone speaks to us and tells its story: thanks to these important finds, archaeologists will be able to know more about our past. The Vatican officially became the permanent papal seat in 1377. This was after Pope Gregory XI moved the papacy back to Rome from Avignon, France, where it had been located for nearly 70 years. From thereon, a defensive structure was no longer necessary and the area was abandoned. This discovery coincides with Cardinal Robert Prevost's election as the new leader of the Catholic Church - making him the first-ever American pope. The new pope stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Thursday to greet cheering crowds. Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955 to immigrant parents of French, Italian and Spanish descent. After graduating from Villanova University in Pennsylvania with a degree in maths, the future pontiff joined the Order of St Augustine, taking his vows in 1978. Ordained as a priest in 1982, he joined a mission in Peru where he spent many years leading a seminary. While he is seen as more traditional than Francis, he is not the conservative hardliner that some in the church had hoped for after his predecessor's efforts to make the faith more progressive. 5 Pope Leo XIV (formerly Robert Francis Prevost) made his first trip outside the Vatican on Saturday Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
10-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Secret ancient papal palace where Popes lived before the Vatican is unearthed in Rome
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed ruins from a hidden ancient palace which housed popes for centuries before the Vatican was established. The discoveries give a rare glimpse into the dangers faced by the papacy in Rome's medieval times. Advertisement 5 Archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of the first residence of popes Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture 5 Defensive walls were excavated in the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, the square outside the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture 5 These walls date as far back as the 9th century AD Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture Archaeologists stumbled upon complex architecture beneath the square outside the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome while making renovations for Jubilee 2025 (the Catholic Holy Year). They unearthed large walled structures made of volcanic rock bricks, known as tuff, that date back to the 9th through the 13th centuries AD. Some of these bricks had been reused from earlier buildings, and signs of restoration were visible in some of the walls. This structure is believed to be part of the Patriarchio - the ancient palace which served as the popes' official residence from the 4th century until the early 14th century. Advertisement Read more on the papacy This monumental basilica was designed by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century after the famous Edict of Milan (313 AD) legalised Christianity in the Roman Empire. The palace complex was expanded and renovated during the Middle Ages, according to the Italian Ministry of Culture. These walled structures are said to have acted as a defensive barrier, shielding the papacy from power struggles among Rome's aristocratic families and raids by Saracens. The Italian ministry said: 'The construction of the structure just described took place during a long period in which Rome was the object of the raids of the Saracens, and inside it there were continuous struggles, sometimes violent, between the aristocratic families." Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest Exclusive 'Saracens' was the term used for various Arab groups that launched coastal raids in Italy during the 9th and 10th centuries and later clashed with European armies during the Crusades. 'Hence the hypothesis that this mighty wall, also due to its shape, had the function of a defensive wall around the complex of the Basilica and the annexed buildings," the ministry explained. New Pope Leo XIV accused of 'looking the other way' over sex abuse allegations against priests in Chicago & Peru It said this discovery is 'of extraordinary importance' to Rome's history, as these are the most extensive archaeological excavations of the square to have taken place. Gennaro Sangiuliano, the Italian Minister of Culture, said: 'The discoveries of Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano are yet another demonstration of the richness of the territory of Rome, an inexhaustible mine of archaeological treasures.' Advertisement Sangiuliano added: 'Every single stone speaks to us and tells its story: thanks to these important finds, archaeologists will be able to know more about our past. The Vatican officially became the permanent papal seat in 1377. This was after Pope Gregory XI moved the papacy back to Rome from Avignon, France, where it had been located for nearly 70 years. From thereon, a defensive structure was no longer necessary and the area was abandoned. Advertisement This discovery coincides with The Prevost was After graduating from Villanova University in Pennsylvania with a degree in maths, the future pontiff joined the Order of St Augustine, taking his vows in 1978. Advertisement Ordained as a priest in 1982, he joined a mission in Peru where he spent many years leading a seminary. While he is seen as more traditional than Francis, he is not the conservative hardliner that some in the church had hoped for after his predecessor's efforts to make the faith more progressive. 5 Pope Leo XIV (formerly Robert Francis Prevost) made his first trip outside the Vatican on Saturday Credit: Getty 5 The pope appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement
Watani
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Watani
Italians of Egypt at Bibliotheca Alexandrina
'Mostra Italiani D'Egitto' ('Italians of Egypt'), an exhibition that opened at Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) in Alexandria on 16 February 2025, features selected items from the archival collections of both institutions that highlight two of the most prominent figures of 20th century's Italian literature: Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and Giuseppe Ungaretti. The event was jointly organised by the BA and the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Roma (National Central Library in Rome). It featured selected materials from the archival collections of both BA and the Italian library on two of the 20th century most prominent figures in Italian literature: Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and Giuseppe Ungaretti. Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, and BA Director Ahmed Zayed opened the exhibition. Michele Quaroni, Rome's Ambassador to Cairo attended the opening ceremony. Mr Giuli emphasised the depth of the historical friendship that unites Italy and Egypt as two Mediterranean countries. He pointed out that cultural relations between them have continued uninterrupted over time, extending from the ancient world to our contemporary era, thanks to the testimony of many Italians who lived in Egypt. 'This exhibition focuses on two outstanding figures who were born in Egypt and found their inspiration there: Marinetti, founder of the most important avant-garde movement of the 20th century; and Ungaretti, one of the most important Italian poets of all time.' The exhibition showcased the first editions, posters and texts of the two great writers. 'This,' the Italian Minister of Culture stressed, 'allows us to reconstruct the years they lived in Egypt, which were crucial for both of them in their education, writing and subsequent literary production.' Mr Giuli said that the Italian Ministry of Culture was donating a collection of books to the BA, as part of its 'Bibliotheca Italia' project. 'I am pleased to present to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina today with 550 books donated by the Italian Ministry of Culture through the Bibliotheca Italia project, a project that aims to provide a collection of books from the world's leading cultural institutions to encourage learning the Italian language and culture in other countries.' He said that the collection of books includes general culture works such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, texts, books and publications that cover various topics including history, art, customs, and classical and contemporary literature. He expressed his hope that Egyptian youth will enjoy this collection to bring them closer to Italian language and literature. Last year, Mr Giuli pointed, witnessed the celebration of the bicentennial of the foundation of the Egyptian Museum in Turin, Italy, which is the oldest in the world and the second largest after the Egyptian Museum. For his part, Dr Zayed, BA Director, reminded of the cultural and artistic partnerships that brought together the BA and Italian institutions, including the inauguration of the Egyptian-Italian Science Year in 2009; the launch of the book 'Italy in Alexandria'; and the international symposium to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death. 'I am confident that the partnership between Egypt and Italy in cultural aspects will continue to flourish and expand in many areas to achieve greater successes that benefit culture and humanity as a whole,' Dr Zayed said. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the valuable donation of 550 books on various and diverse topics to be added to the valuable resources in the BA and enrich its collection. 'We look forward to continuing this type of cultural exchange that is vibrant with thought and enlightenment, which promises a future based on cultural and civilisational communication,' Dr Zayed said Mr Quaroni, the Italian Ambassador to Egypt, thanked the Italian Minister of Culture and the BA for organising that important event, noting that the exhibition aimed to highlight the depth and impact of the Egyptian experience in enriching and shaping the lives of Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and Giuseppe Ungaretti, their writings and literary production. Comments comments
