Latest news with #SaintMaryMajor
ABC News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Pope Leo XIV declares 'I am Roman' as he formally becomes bishop of Rome
Pope Leo XIV has declared himself a Roman as he completed the final ceremonial steps cementing his role as the bishop of Rome. The first American pope formally took possession of the Saint John Lateran Basilica, which is Rome's cathedral and seat of the diocese, with an evening mass attended by Roman priests and faithful on Sunday. He then took the Popemobile for a visit to Saint Mary Major, where he prayed before Pope Francis's tomb and an icon of the Virgin Mary, beloved to many Roman faithful. The trip completed the symbolic and liturgical "taking possession" of the four basilicas that signify full papal authority within Rome. In his homily, Leo said he wanted to listen to them "in order to learn, understand and decide things together". One of the many titles that Leo assumed when he was elected May 8 was bishop of Rome. Given the responsibilities running the 1.4 billion-strong universal Catholic Church, popes delegate the day-to-day governance of running the diocese of Rome to a vicar. Sunday's ceremonies at Saint John Lateran and a stop at Saint Mary Major basilicas follow Leo's visit last week to the Saint Paul Outside the Walls basilica. Together with Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the four papal basilicas are the most important basilicas in the West. Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri welcomed Leo first at the steps to City Hall, noting that his May 8 election fell during a Holy Year, an event occurring every 25 years to invite pilgrims to Rome. The city underwent two years of traffic-clogging public works projects to prepare and expects to welcome upward of 30 million people in 2025. Leo said he felt the "serious but passionate responsibility" to serve all Romans during the Holy Year and beyond. Wearing his formal red papal cape and brocaded stole, Leo recalled the words he had uttered from the loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica on the night of his election. The Augustinian pope quoted Saint Augustine in saying: "With you I am Christian, and for you, bishop." "By special title, today I can say that for you and with you I am Roman," Leo said. The former Robert Prevost succeeded Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope. Francis died on April 21 and is buried at Saint Mary Major, near the icon of the Madonna known as the Salus Populi Romani.
The Independent
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Pope Francis funeral: Watch key moments from historic service
Presidents, prime ministers and royalty were among those bidding a final farewell to Pope Francis at his funeral in St Peter's Square on Saturday (26 April). The 88-year-old, who died on Easter Monday, has been hailed for his leadership of the Church, proving popular among young people and known for his outreach to those most in need in society. Following the open-air funeral in the square, Francis's remains will be taken through the streets of Rome in another break with tradition, as his body is brought to a simple underground tomb in the basilica of Saint Mary Major, as per his instructions. Here, The Independent captures key moments from the historic service.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Inside 'Ring of Steel' around Pope's funeral as Vatican guards wield anti-drone weapons
Pope Francis I is well-protected as he lies in state at the altar of St Peter's Basilica, with Italian and Vatican authorities boasting an arsenal of high-spec weaponry Snipers, soldiers armed with massive bazooka-like anti- drone guns and security checks akin to a bustling airport have appeared around the Pope 's state resting place as a ring of steel is erected ahead of his funeral. Pope Francis I died aged 88 on Easter Monday, sparking a period of worldwide mourning that has seen tens of thousands of people descend on Vatican City. They have arrived to pay their respects to the late Pontiff while he lies in state at the altar of St Peter's Basilica, the grand cathedral at the Vatican complex's centre. Italian and local authorities have clubbed together to provide security for those thousands of people and to keep the site safe for the funeral on Saturday, with police and military personnel seen bristling with weapons alongside queues of the faithful. The latest photos from the scene show members of the Aeronautica Militare, the Italian Air Force, donning sunglasses and standing in St Peter's Square armed with what appear to be assault rifles with three massive bazooka nozzles. The guns, while they cut an imposing figure in the square, are non-lethal and have been deployed to deter would-be drone pilots looking to conduct illegal surveillance. Otherwise known as Counter-Unmanned Aerial Anti-drone Systems (C-UAS) the Italian ACUS (AMI Counter UAS) conducts electronic warfare via a pack-supplied gun that emits a disruptive signal that prevents drones from broadcasting video feeds and GPS signals. Members of the public have photographed and attempted to speak with the soldiers on the ground over the last few days, but they have refused to expand on the nature of their operations. People looking up from the camo-clad soldiers stationed on the ground may spot other units - this time composed of masked men in full-black attire. Carabinieri, Italian police with military duties, have taken up posts on parapets above St Peter's Square where they have set up sniper's nests. The specialist officers have been deployed as part of a massive counter-terror operation as the threat level ahead of the funeral was unofficially raised. Snpiers will likely be stationed further afield this weekend during the event itself, as the Pope will not be placed in the usual Vatican grottoes underneath St Peter's. He will be transported via procession from St Peter's once the service is complete to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore - Saint Mary Major - across the River Tiber in central Rome. He will be laid to rest there after the procession takes a winding route through the city's streets. While details of the required security have not been publicly confirmed, experts believe thousands of police officers - plain-clothed and otherwise - will be spread across the city while the transfer takes place. At the moment, the notable security presence is vetting anyone who wants to visit the Pope in St Peter's Basilica by making them walk through airport-style security checks. Before they enter, members of the public must pass through both metal detectors and x-ray scanners.
