At the Dawn of Christianity Very Soon After Jesus’S Death, a Small Christian Community Developed in Rome; Peter and Paul Visited Them Before Being Martyred

8 THE TOMB OF ST. PETER 9 Rome at the dawn of Christianity Very soon after Jesus’s death, a small Christian community developed in Rome; Peter and Paul visited them before being martyred. The community would become more visible in the third century, as the graves of the catacombs show.

by Sophie Laurant

offered sacrifices to the mysterious have found ancient artifacts that Digest sun god Mithra, whom they learned confirm an unbroken Christian about during military campaigns tradition. A text corroborates these in the East. Temples dedicated to findings.” the Egyptian goddess Isis had their Indeed, a letter from the presby- followers as well; they were orga- ter (the name for priests at the time) nized into small fraternities of ini- Gaius to a certain Proclus, written at tiates. Some Romans were intrigued the end of the second century and by Judaism, and asked representa- cited by the Church father Eusebi- tives of that community, which had us of Caesarea, says: “Whether you been established in the capital cen- go to the Vatican or on the road to 1 turies ago, about their beliefs. Still Ostia, you will find the trophies of 1. The funeral of a young Christian At the beginning of the third others approached another group, those who established the Church woman in the catacombs of Rome during the persecutions (Victor century A.D., Rome, the imperial the Christians, who did not seem in Rome.” The word “trophy” likely ence of Eastern religions, including Schnetz, 1867, oil on canvas, Musée city, teemed with activity. Nearly a that different from the Jews. refers to a stone stele (slab or mark- Christianity, the practice of buri- des Beaux-Arts de Nantes).

million inhabitants filled the mar- Philippe Pergola, research er) erected by some of the faithful DEAGOSTINI/LEEMAGE al spreads, replacing cremation.” 2. A Roman mausoleum decorated Aket streets or the forums. These large director of the Centre National de on Peter’s tomb, in a pagan necropo- Important families or fraternities with frescoes showing peacocks, a young goat, a bird, flowers, and public squares, nestled between la Recherche Scientifique (Nation- lis on Vatican Hill (see page 29), and thus bury their loved ones, to the scrollwork (catacombs of Aproniano JOSSE/LEEMAGE PHOTO the hills and bordered by porticoes al Center for Scientific Research) in on Paul’s tomb, located on the road point of extending a hypogeum by or of the Via Latina, fourth century). and temples, were at the center of CatholicAix-Marseille, France, and dean of leading to the port of Ostia. progressively digging a complex Roman political and religious life. the Pontifical Institute of Christian Samplenetwork of funerary galleries. Over Christians. The catacomb is locat- The great majority of Romans Archeology in Rome, observes: “It is Along the Roman roads time, the necropolises became cat- ed along the Via Appian. dutifully honored the gods of their from this era, the beginning of the In Antiquity, cemeteries were acombs, where Romans of all reli- Philippe Pergoda warns: ancestors or those of conquered third century, that we have the first located outside the cities, along gions lie side by side. “This does not mean Christians peoples, which had been adopted archeological evidence of the pres- major arteries. Stelae therefore 2 A turning point happened in were trying to hide. On the con- This is Mencken more recently. They sought the gods’ ence of this new religion in Rome.” line these roads as reminders to its. When land became scarce, the time of Zephyrinus, bishop trary, this catacomb, which was favor and assistance by taking part There is, however, an import- passersby of the deceased per- the Romans adopted the Greek of Rome between 198 and 217 and built, decorated, and visited daily, in ancient rituals and feasts. ant exception, as Pergola points out: son whose ashes have been bur- and Eastern custom of hypogea the 15th successor of Peter, with is the sign that their community, Others, however, were on what “The tombs of Peter and Paul, mar- ied there. As the growing Roman — vast communal underground the creation by Deacon Callistus in adopting the practices of other we would today call “spiritual tyred in Rome around 64 or 67 A.D., population needed constant sup- chambers. (who succeeded Zephyrinus until religious groups, was becoming quests,” attracted by different paths were immediately preserved. We are plies, large agricultural estates Philippe Pergola adds: “At the his own martyrdom in 222) of a visible. Even during imperial per- to the divine. Thus, soldiers now certain of their location because we developed outside the city lim- same time, because of the influ- catacomb entirely dedicated to secutions, which were violent but

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1 40 A.D. Under the Vatican, a circus The circus of emperors Caligula and 3 Nero (illustrated here by archeologist Jean-Paul Golvin) was built around 40 A.D. on Vatican Hill, outside the city. Peter was crucified in the year 67 (or perhaps 64) in the middle of 16th this circus, at the foot of the obelisk Century that was later erected in St. Peter’s Square. Peter’s remains were buried From one in a pagan necropolis, a little north basilica to of the site, on the other side of the Via Cornelia. It soon became a place another where Christians went to honor him. At the end of the 16th cen- tury, as seen on the engrav- ing below, the building site of the new St. Peter’s Basili- 3 ca was in full swing, but the 2 dome had yet to be com-

1 pleted. The Vatican Gardens Digest were well developed, even AQUARELLE DE JEAN-CLAUDE GOLVIN - MUSÉE DÉPARTEMENTAL ARLES ANTIQUE - JEAN-CLAUDE GOLVIN/ÉDITIONS ERRANCE ARLES ANTIQUE - JEAN-CLAUDE GOLVIN/ÉDITIONS - MUSÉE DÉPARTEMENTAL DE JEAN-CLAUDEAQUARELLE GOLVIN though the surroundings remained rather bucolic; the

326 A.D. DR popes were known to hunt Site plan of the Roman there on occasion. Beyond Constantine’s circus and the two basilicas the Castel Sant’Angelo, on Basilica (Peter’s necropolis is in red). the other side of the Tiber, one can see the sprawling Emperor Constantine, who now city of Rome. supported Christianity, ordered the construction of an immense basilica, 387 feet long, over Peter’s From Antiquity to tomb. It was dedicated by Pope Syl- the end of the 19th vester I in 326 (or perhaps 324). Its large marble columns that divide century, Vatican its five naves are impressive. As Hill remained rural, can be seen in this 19th-century even though visitors rendering, a large atrium (court) to St. Peter’s and welcomes pilgrims. At the center, a Catholic bronze fountain in the shape of a the arrival of an pine cone (la pigna – see page 46) Samplehas been installed for the ablutions administration and a papal court slowly of the faithful. DEAGOSTINI/LEEMAGE 2 transformed fields into neighborhoods. by Sophie Laurant A Hill

Surrounded by Fields AKG-IMAGES THE VATICAN: MAJESTY • HISTORY • ARTISTRY CATHOLIC DIGEST + SPECIAL EDITION BY A BEND IN THE TIBER RIVER

As the sun rises, it medieval fortress. A illuminates the entrance to Vauban-style glacis (gentle St. Peter’s, which, unlike at slope), now a garden, many churches, does not embraces it. Between the have its sanctuary in the two, the Via della east end of the church, Conciliazione’s wide and facing Jerusalem. The straight line takes in a location of the apostle’s series of old classical relics and the desire to palaces on either side. On have the entrance doors the north side, the oriented toward the city of 19th-century façades of the Rome dictated this buildings of the Prati orientation. In the bottom district are arranged in a right-hand corner, “modern” Haussmann-like overlooking the plan; they end at the meandering Tiber River, Vatican City walls, simply the layout of Castel disregarding St. Peter’s Sant’Angelo is clearly Square. Beyond, the two visible, with its circular wings of the museums glow imperial mausoleum red in the light of dawn. surrounded by a square

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A VAST GRAY-AND-GOLD MARBLE NAVE 2

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Past the central bronze The gray marble statues door, designed by placed in the alcoves Antonio Averulino, also between the pillars knownCatholic as Filarete, (1), represent 39 founders of which was salvaged religious orders. At the from the previous level of the third bay, the Sample basilica, the nave floor aisles of the nave lead to is a sprawling “carpet” two large chapels (2). To of colored marble the right, near the 3 geometrical forms. It entrance to the Blessed 2 was undoubtedly Sacrament Chapel, is the designed by Bernini, funeral monument of 4 whose vision Gregory XIII (3). Other 1 transformed the interior papal tombs are found in space of St. Peter’s into the basilica or its crypt. an impressive Baroque Pilgrims are greeted by two jewel box. holy water fonts made of yellow marble (4).

THE VATICAN: MAJESTY • HISTORY • ARTISTRY THE APOSTLE PETER SEATED IN MAJESTY

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throne, blessing the faithful with his right hand while his left holds the keys to the kingdom. For a long time it was thought to be the work of CatholicArnolfo di Cambio, a 13th-century sculptor, but a number of Sample experts have raised questions. More recent hypotheses suggest that it might be a fifth-century An impressive bronze work from a Syriac statue of St. Peter greets workshop. The statue’s pilgrims as they enter the right foot is worn from sanctuary. He is shown centuries of pilgrims seated on a marble touching or kissing it. 47

The Sistine Chapel A sparkling jewel On May 10, 1508, commissioned by Pope Julius II, Michelangelo began work on a massive composition to redecorate the ceiling of the chapel and achieved a visual masterpiece. Digestby Sophie Laurant

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Captivating images Dazzled by the pervasiveness of the paintings, by the bright colors of the pleated clothing, by the never-ending movement of the figures, the visitor’s gaze does not know where to focus. In spite of the crowd, patience and time are needed to decipher Michelangelo Buonarroti’s

ÉRIC VANDEVILLE complex pictorial design.

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Other artists By 1483, before Michelangelo’s arrival, the painting of the upper panels of the walls was complete. Many great artists had a hand in the scenes of the lives of Moses and Christ: Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Rosselli, and Perugino, to whom we owe the painting of Christ handing the keys to St. Peter. ELECTA / LEEMAGE ELECTA

A tor- mented Digest Last Judgment Around 400 figures swirl around the central figure of Christ the Judge. What is striking about this tempestuous “day of judgment” is the confusion, the anguish, the torment affecting most of the figures, including the saved souls, the saints, and martyrs who surround Christ. Michelangelo, convinced that he himself is damned, thus expresses his spiritual trepidation. His obsession is represented by his own image placed on the flayed skin that St. Bartholomew holds, a symbol of his martyrdom (bottom right

ÉRIC VANDEVILLE corner). Like the ceiling, this Catholic innovative work breaks with the models of standard Sample representations and was Ceiling, wall, alcoves … considered shocking when it In less than four years, the artist accomplished the remarkable feat of was unveiled. Paradoxically, A completing, by himself, 6,500 square feet of frescoes — that is, painting on it is in full view of the fresh plaster, where the paint must be applied on the same day, a giorno. The cardinals when they elect a very moody Michelangelo did not get along with the fresco painters sent to new pope! DespiteA the fact assist him. He had to work nearly lying on his back on the scaffolding 66 feet that Julius III (pope from high. Amazingly, in 1536, when Paul III commissioned him to paint The Last 1550 to 1555) ordered that Judgment on the altar wall, Michelangelo, now age 60 and despite suffering clothing be painted over the from painful osteoarthritis, took up his brushes once again. This new project naked bodies of the would last five years. resurrected, the work is

ÉRIC VANDEVILLE undiminished. 54 A STATE LIKE NO OTHER 55 The Vatican The world’s smallest state St. Peter’s Square This gathering place for the world’s faithful was designed by Bernini Identity The Apostolic (17th century). Its The Passetto Castel Sant’Angelo Vatican Palace colonnade forms an Elevated and fortified, Located on the banks of the Tiber, it served Museums From 1870, it served ellipse — not fully this “secret” as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum (130 B.C.) card closed, but not too open Flag There are 12 as the papal passageway at 875 and was later used as a fortress, a prison, museums in five residence, until Pope — around an obelisk. yards in length was and a papal palace. In 1871, it became the It is square with yellow and white verti- galleries; Roman, Francis, who The first century B.C. built by Nicholas III in property of the Italian Republic. cal bands. Two states have square flags: Etruscan, and preferred to live in obelisk was originally in the 13th century to the Vatican and Switzerland. ROME The Pinacotheca Egyptian antiquities; St. Martha’s House. the center of Caligula’s allow popes to take Contains eight centuries paintings and The palace was built Circus where St. Peter refuge in Castle A Coat of arms (from the 11th to the 19th) frescoes; wall maps; in the 16th century was martyred. It was Sant’Angelo when they It consists of the papal tiara of religious paintings; modern sacred art, for Sixtus V. moved to its present were in danger. and the keys of St. Peter, and Giotto, Fra Angelico, carriages, and location in 1585 under Perugino, Titian, and Paolo the order of Sixtus V. is found on the white band of stamps. They adjoin Veronese are found here. the Sistine Chapel. the flag. An entire room is dedicated to Raphael. A Official language 842people live in Vatican Italian City: More than 450 of French is the Vatican’s language them have Vatican of diplomacy; Latin is the official citizenship. The Vatican language of the Catholic Church is the least populous and the legal language of the state in the world. Digest Vatican; German is the language Source: VaticanState.va of the Vatican army, the Swiss Guard.

Currency The euro 0.17square This coin is stamped with the miles, or 109 acres, is the coat of arms of Pope Francis, total area of the Vatican. surrounded by the words Citta This makes it the smallest del Vaticano (Vatican City). In 2017, state in the world. Francis refused permission for his face to appear on these coins.

Official Hymn “The Pontifical March” Pius XII adopted this hymn in 1949. It was written in 1869 by the French composer François Charles Gounod.

Governance Vatican City State Catholic Official name of the independent SampleBasilica of St. Mary Major state established in 1929. A sove- The Gardens St. Peter’s Basilica reign nation, it is distinct from the Covering more than It was built in the The Vatican Holy See but united with it in the half of the area of Renaissance style to Basilica of St. person of the pope who serves as Vatican City, they are Governorate replace the original The Audience Room John Lateran its head. home to the Mater Palace basilica constructed in Paul VI asked for it to be built in Ecclesiae Monastery, Built in the eclectic 324 under Constantine. The Holy See 1964. It can hold up to 6,300 the Casina Pio IV style between 1927 At 200 yards in length faithful, especially for papal The legal term for the pastoral (housing the Academy and 1931, it houses with aisles that are 190 audiences. The nearby St. Martha’s government of the Catholic of Sciences), the the general feet wide, it can host House serves as guest house and Church, of which the pope is the medieval St. John’s administration of 20,000 people. Source: residence for the Holy See. visible head. Tower, and more. the Vatican. VaticanState.va Basilica of St. Paul Castel Gandolfo Outside-the-Walls ILLUSTRATIONS HÉRON • PHOTOS DR • PHOTOS HÉRON ILLUSTRATIONS

THE VATICAN: MAJESTY • HISTORY • ARTISTRY CATHOLIC DIGEST + SPECIAL EDITION 56 THE PAPACY 57

ou are Peter. named his future mission as the leader of the ear- The papacy can be traced back ly Church. more than 2,000 years to the words of Let’s look at this account in the Gospel accord- Jesus: “You are Peter, and on this rock I ing to Matthew: will build my church” (Matthew 16:18) The Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea The Catholic Church views this moment in time Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say Pa pac y as Jesus’ inauguration of Simon Peter as the that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John first pope. It followed momentously after the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremi- Simon Peter’s confession of Jesus as the ah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who A From Peter to messiah. It not only led to a name change for the fisherman the disciples knew as Simon, but it also Francis In this section, you’ll find a papal timeline along the top of the page and continuing throughout. Since most popes reigned until their deaths, we list the year they died. We’ve also selected significant moments in the pontifi- cates of some of the great popes (below), many of whom are saints. by Pat Gohn 33-67 Digest SEDMAK/ISTOCK Saint Peter ne of the original Twelve Apostles, this Galilean fi sherman and Obrother to Andrew from Bethsaida, was formerly known as Simon. Christ changed his Catholic name to Peter, meaning Rock. He became chief of the Apostles Sample was the “rock” upon which the Church would be built. A er Christ’s Ascensio-n and the Pentecost, he preached throu- ghout Jerusalem and elsewhere in Asia Minor. He was eventually crucifi ed for his faith in Rome; he is buried in the necropolis

The great Popes The great under St. Peter’s Basilica. Sixtus II Stephen I Lucius I Eusebius Mark Anacletus or Cletus Evaristus Telesphorus Anicetus Eleutherius Callistus I Pontianus Anterus Cornelius Eutichianus Marcellinus Marcellus I Miltiades or Melchiades Peter Linus Clement Alexander I Sixtus I Hyginus Pius I Soterus Victor I Zephyrinus Urban I Fabian Dionysius Felix I Caius Sylvester I Julius I

                                  

THE VATICAN: MAJESTY • HISTORY • ARTISTRY CATHOLIC DIGEST + SPECIAL EDITION