{"id":5663,"date":"2026-09-03T16:09:49","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T14:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/?p=5663"},"modified":"2026-09-06T21:35:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T19:35:43","slug":"visit-of-pope-pius-xii-to-the-basilica-of-santa-maria-sopra-minerva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/2026\/09\/03\/visit-of-pope-pius-xii-to-the-basilica-of-santa-maria-sopra-minerva\/","title":{"rendered":"Visit of Pope Pius XII to the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva \u2013 St. Francis and St. Catherine of Siena proclaimed Patron Saints of Italy (5 May 1940)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Die 3 septembris Anno Domini 2026
<\/small><\/em>Sancti Pii X Pap\u00e6 Confessoris<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the history of the papacy, including the modern one, there are symbolic or groundbreaking moments that are, however, forgotten over time. One such event was Pope Pius XII’s visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em> in Rome on May 5, 1940, where the Holy Father, celebrating the establishment of St. Francis and St. Catherine of Siena as principal patrons of Italy, participated in a solemn Pontifical Mass (Missa pontificalis coram Summo Pontifice<\/em>) and delivered a memorable address.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Pontifical Mass coram Summo Pontifice<\/em> celebrated by Cardinal Eug\u00e8ne Tisserant in the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em> on May 5, 1940<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I. Historical Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was the first visit by a Bishop of Rome to the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em> since Pope Pius IX, who in 1870, following the occupation of Rome by the Army of the United Kingdom of Italy, declared himself a prisoner of the Vatican. This, in turn, meant that for the next 59 years the popes were confined to the walls of the Apostolic Palace. Pius XII chose this particular church, which houses the mortal remains of St. Catherine of Siena, to solemnly celebrate the proclamation of St. Francis and St. Catherine as the principal patrons of Italy (breve apostolicum<\/em> Licet commissa<\/em> of June 18, 1939<\/a>, officially published in AAS<\/em> 31 (1939), p. 256-257<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View of the sanctuary of the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em>
(old postcard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The mortal remains of St. Catherine of Siena, located in the main altar of the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em>
(old postcard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s also important to remember that prior to these events, there was a long tradition of popes visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em>. For a very long time, on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25th), they presented dowries to young women choosing the religious life or getting married. One of the rooms in the former Dominican monastery adjacent to the Basilica was even called the Sala dei Papi<\/em>. The entrance to this room was located in a corridor next to the sacristy. This room served as a kind of papal quarters and a place of preparation for liturgical celebrations attended by the Bishop of Rome. It’s also worth noting that the Hall of the Popes<\/em> houses a monumental but unfinished statue of the Madonna and Child, attributed to Bernini himself or his workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LEFT: The Sala<\/em> or Stanza dei Papi<\/em> in the former Dominican monastery adjacent to the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em>. Today, it serves as a conference room. (source: borgato.be<\/a>). RIGHT: Conference in the<\/sup> Sala dei Papi<\/em> (source: Frati Domenicani<\/a>)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The basilica was also the site of the election of popes. Two conclaves are known to have taken place, electing Pope Eugene IV (1431) and Pope Nicholas V (1447). These events are depicted in a fresco from 1640 by the Roman painter Giovanni Speranza. This painting is located above the entrance door to the sacristy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LEFT: The Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva as the site of the conclave that elected Pope Eugene IV (source: A Virtual Roman Library<\/a>). RIGHT: fresco from the entrance to the sacristy of the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva showing the conclave and the election of Pope Nicholas V (source: Catalogo generale dei Beni Culturali<\/a>)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

II. Course of the ceremony<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The solemn celebration was scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. in the basilica. This meant that around 9:00 a.m., the Holy Father and his entourage departed from the Apostolic Palace. The journey was made by car. On the streets of Rome, the faithful greeted the Pope with endless cheers. According to reports, the wave of enthusiasm was particularly intense in St. Peter’s Square, in front of the Church of Santa Maria in Transpontina<\/em>, at the Church of San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini<\/em>, at Chiesa Nuova<\/em>, at Sant’Andrea della Valle<\/em>, and at Largo Argentina<\/em>. The culmination of the joy took place in Piazza della Minerva<\/em>, where the Italian Army, represented by numerous units of various arms, paid homage to the Pope, performing honorary service. The houses along the papal route were lavishly decorated, and the square next to the basilica was resplendent with papal and national banners, tapestries, flowers, and other decorations.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Announcement of no-ticket ceremony
(source: L\u2019Avvenire d\u2019Italia<\/em> from May 4, 1940<\/a>)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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Information about the radio broadcast of the ceremony at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em>
(source: Radiocorriere<\/em> from May 5-11, 1940<\/a>)
(image quality improved)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Pope Pius XII’s journey from the Vatican to the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em>
(source: Archivio LUCE\/Centro Cattolico Cinematografico<\/a>)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the entrance to the monastery, the Pope was greeted by, among others, Cardinal Tisserant, the Superior General of the Dominican Order, and dignitaries associated with the Franciscan orders. The welcome was accompanied by the singing of Perosi’s O Roma nobilis <\/em>and numerous shouts from the crowd in honor of St. Francis, St. Catherine of Siena, and the Holy Father himself. The crowd’s uproar reached its peak when the Pope appeared, carried on the sedia gestatoria<\/em>, vested in a mantum<\/em> and wearing a tiara<\/em>, and entered the basilica through the central door in a solemn procession. As soon as Pius XII entered the church, the famous silver papal trumpets rang out. While the Holy Father prayed before the Blessed Sacrament, the Cappella Musicale Pontificia sang Tu es Petrus<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Pope Pius XII during the solemn procession to the basilica
(source: iCharta<\/a>)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Solemn procession to the basilica: Pope Pius XII in pontifical garb carried in the sedia.
LEFT: View of the square in front of the basilica. RIGHT: Papal procession.
(source: L’Osservatore Romano della Domenica<\/em>, May 12, 1940)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Pontifical Mass, in the presence of the Bishop of Rome, was celebrated by the titular Cardinal of the basilica, Eug\u00e8ne Tisserant. The liturgy was prepared with extraordinary reverence, and the church was decorated with an extraordinary number of candles. Participating in the service were, among others, the Princess of Italy (Maria Francesca Anna Romana represented the absent Victor Emmanuel III), numerous representatives of the Royal Italian Government (Benito Mussolini was also absent), delegations of clergy and lay dignitaries from Assisi and Siena, and an exceptionally large number of Roman citizens. During the Offertory, Perosi’s O Sanctissima Anima<\/em> (in honor of St. Francis) was performed, and at the conclusion of Mass, the famous composer’s Ecce Catharina fieri<\/em> could be heard singing \u2013 this chant accompanied the Pope’s prayer, offered kneeling at the faldstool before the saint at the main altar.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Prayers at the foot of the altar. The Cardinal celebrant recites the Confiteor to the Pope, who is assisting at Mass.
(source: Liturgical Arts Journal<\/a>)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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Pope Pius XII assists from the throne at the Pontifical Mass celebrated by Cardinal Eug\u00e8ne Tisserant
(source: Liturgical Arts Journal<\/a>)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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A view of the basilica filled with the faithful (Mass is taking place at the altars), with many monks visible<\/sup>
(source: L’Osservatore Romano della Domenica<\/em>, May 12, 1940)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Excerpts from the Solemn Pontifical Mass celebrated by Cardinal Tisserant in the presence of Pope Pius XII in the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em> on May 5, 1940
(source: Archivio LUCE\/Centro Cattolico Cinematografico<\/a>)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After the prayer, the Holy Father sat on the faldstool and received the Governor of Rome, who asked for the blessing of the diadem presented to St. Catherine of Siena by the Queen and the Ladies of Rome. He presented a precious chalice for the Mass for the basilica, donated by the City of Rome, and a silver olive branch, a gift from the City of Pisa. The diadem was immediately placed on the saint’s head. After this, the Pope, dressed in choir dress, went to the ambo where he delivered a speech. The guests then proceeded to the great hall of the Casanatense Library, where a reception had been prepared for Pius XII, who inaugurated an exhibition devoted to memorabilia related to St. Catherine of Siena. A speech honoring the Holy Father was delivered in the library and several books were presented to him as gifts. After the meeting, the Pope returned to the Vatican, once again sparking euphoria among the people gathered along the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LEFT: After the liturgy, Pope Pius XII receives homage from the Italian Ambassador. RIGHT: Father Stanislao Gillet presents the Holy Father with a chalice given to St. Catherine of Siena by the City of Rome.
(Source: L’Osservatore Romano della Domenica<\/em>, May 12, 1940)<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

III. Address of Pope Pius XII<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After the solemn liturgy, Pope Pius XII delivered a passionate speech from the basilica’s pulpit, praising St. Francis and St. Catherine of Siena, referring to the ancient traditions of papal visits to the basilica, and calling for peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excerpt from the speech Ammirevole spettacolo<\/em> by Pope Pius XII delivered on May 5, 1940, in the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em> in Rome, in connection with the proclamation of St. Francis and St. Catherine of Siena as the principal patrons of Italy
(source: Archivio LUCE\/Centro Cattolico Cinematografico<\/a>)<\/sup><\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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LEFT: Beginning of the speech Ammirevole spettacolo<\/em> by Pope Pius XII delivered on May 5, 1940, in the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/em> in Rome, in connection with the proclamation of St. Francis and St. Catherine of Siena as the principal patrons of Italy (source: La Santa Sede<\/a>). RIGHT: Cover of L’Osservatore Romano della Domenica<\/em> dated May 12, 1940, featuring a photograph of Pope Pius XII delivering a speech in the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Die 3 septembris Anno Domini 2026Sancti Pii X Pap\u00e6 Confessoris In the history of the papacy, including the modern one, there are symbolic or groundbreaking moments that are, however, forgotten over time. One such event was Pope Pius XII’s visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome on May 5, 1940, where […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5660,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[827,98,832,845,843,169,171,837,835,841,839],"class_list":{"0":"post-5663","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-blog-en","8":"tag-basilica-santa-maria-sopra-minerva","9":"tag-cappella-papale-en","10":"tag-missa-coram-summo-pontifice-en","11":"tag-missa-pontificalis-coram-summo-pontifice-en","12":"tag-patroni-ditalia","13":"tag-pio-xii-en","14":"tag-pius-xii-en","15":"tag-saint-catherine-of-siena","16":"tag-saint-francis","17":"tag-san-francesco","18":"tag-santa-caterina-da-siena","19":"czr-hentry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5663"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5663\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}