This is the icon of the ‘Salus Populi Romani’, one of the virgins most beloved by the Romans, protector of his health, and by Pope Francis, even before his choice in 2013.
The image consists of a Byzantine representation of Mary with the child on a golden background that, according to tradition was created by St. Lucas Evangelista, patron of the painters.
The Argentine pontiff was throughout his little more than 12 years of very devout ministry of this icon, to the one who went for example before and after each apostolic trip he undertook.
On March 23, after 38 days admitted for his serious respiratory problems, the first thing he did when he left the Gemelli hospital in Rome was to pray before the ‘Salus Populi Romani’.
This icon was also taken to the Plaza de San Pedro on the night of March 27, 2020, When the Pontiff prayed for the end of the Coronavirus pandemic to a confined world (In addition, the crucifix of San Marcelo that saved Rome from a plague was exposed in 1522).
For this devotion, Francisco has decided not to be buried in the crypt of San Pedro del Vaticano, As his predecessor Benedict XVI did, for example, and has chosen a small chapel in Santa María la Mayor.
The temple, located in the Roman hill of the Esquilino, is one of the four papal basilicas of the capital, together with San Pedro del Vaticano, San Juan de Letán and San Pablo Extramuros.
How is Santa María la Mayor
It’s about an ancient church whose origins date back to the time of the first Christiansalthough with the passage of the centuries his appearance and architectural style, naturally, was changing.
The Basilica is said in Rome, it was the result of a miracle: the Virgin appeared in the remote year 352 AD in dreams to a rich Patricia Roman family and Pope Liberio, advancing that the next morning a prodigy would indicate the place to dedicate a temple.
Upon waking, a hot August 5, this area of the Esquilino rarely dawned. The first church was built in that same place, where every year, that day, Rome staged the miraculous snow (now throwing white petals or artificial flakes).
Although Santa María la Mayor is the only Roman basilica that maintains its original structure, Of paleocristian origin, over time its architecture assumed different styles, to the current baroque facade of the 18th century.
On the other hand, the temple is closely linked to the Spanish crown, especially since Pope Alejandro VI (1492-1503) commissioned his imposing artison, according to tradition, with the first gold cargo arrived from America by decision of Queen Elizabeth La Católica.
To read more: Biography of Pope Francis: His path from Buenos Aires to the Vatican
At his entrance, a statue of the Spanish king Felipe IV (1605-1665), which became his benefactor. In 1953, Pope Pius XII recognized in his bull ‘Hispaniarum fidelitas’ the “honorary privileges” of Spain in favor of the basilica.
Therefore, Spanish monarchs have traditionally held the position of “Honorary Protocanonigo.” Juan Carlos I and Doña Sofía visited the temple in January 2018. EFE