Join us in celebrating a truly historical moment as Pope Francis had the privilege of gazing upon a relic of the Chair of St. Peter before officiating the opening Mass of the second session of the Synod on Synodality.
As per the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis was led to the Ottoboni sacristy of St. Peter’s Basilica, where the ancient wooden throne embodying the primacy of St. Peter is currently housed for restoration. This iconic throne has been temporarily relocated to facilitate the maintenance work on Bernini’s Baldacchino, the renowned canopy situated above the Altar of the Chair, the central altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, in anticipation of the Jubilee of Hope in 2025.
The restoration efforts are overseen by the Fabbrica di San Pietro, the Vatican institution now under the leadership of Mauro Gambetti, tasked with the reconstruction, preservation, upkeep, and utilization of the basilica.
This marked occasion signifies Pope Francis as the first Pontiff to behold the Chair of St. Peter. The Fabbrica di San Pietro, under the guidance of Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, unveiled the ancient wooden throne representing St. Peter’s primacy to Pope Francis, previously removed for restoration work on the Bernini monument at the apex of the Vatican Basilica.
This extraordinary encounter not only underscores the Pope’s profound connection to the Church’s legacy but also underscores the significance of safeguarding the artistic and cultural heritage within the Vatican.
