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The heart of the Church: the throne of Apostle Peter shown to the Pope

This morning, before the opening Mass of the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis was able to admire an important relic: the ancient wooden throne, a symbol of St. Peter's primacy. The object was extracted during restoration work on Gian Lorenzo Bernini's monument located in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica.

Upon entering the Basilica, the Chair of St. Peter (in Latin, Cathedra Petri) is one of the most impressive monuments. Standing 14.74 meters tall and made of bronze, it was completed by Bernini in 1666, after about ten years of work. This masterpiece weighs 74 tons and features statues of two angels, along with papal insignia. The alternating colors, from dark bronze to golden, which light upward, give a sense of solemnity and movement, while in the center is the throne, on which is engraved the relief of Jesus entrusting Peter with his mission, “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15-17).

The throne holds a relic considered Peter's actual episcopal seat, decorated with ivory plaques depicting the labors of Hercules. According to some research, it may date back to the 9th century, a gift from Charles the Bald to Pope John VIII during his coronation as emperor. Other traditions, however, identify this throne as the gestatorial chair of Peter, transferred to the Vatican by Pope Damasus I (366-384) and placed in the baptistery of the Constantinian basilica.

02 October 2024