"Whoever arrives in Saint Peter's Square feels immediately welcomed
by a spiritual embrace symbolized by the two symmetrical colonnades
of Bernini. His glance, however, is spontaneously drawn to the noble
wall of travertine over which looms the cupola and on which are
arranged eight columns of a single order, like eight giants,
supporting in the central position the triangular pediment with the
coat of arms of Pope Paul V, who presided over the conclusion of the
work. Nor does the spiritual power unleashed by the figure of Christ
the Redeemer at the center of the balustrade which crowns the
edifice escape the observer. It gives rise to that marvelous vision
of apostles, martyrs, confessors, and virgins which goes out from
the side of Christ at the apex of the facade and unfolds in a great
throng along the entire length of the two arms of the colonnade as
though to recall and summarize the history and the mission of the
Church, which is that of bearing witness to holiness of life, the
Gospel message."
Taken from: The Address of the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, on
the occasion of the ceremony marking the conclusion of the work
carried out on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica. 1987
Contact: stpetersbasilica@gmail.com
Dedication
Maurice & Eloise Howard
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