Papal Patronage
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The Salus Populi Romani has been a favorite of several Popes and acted as a Roman Catholic Mariological symbol, especially in Rome itself.
The icon has been considered as miraculous and has been carried in processions around Rome many times. In 593 Pope Saint Gregory had the icon carried through Rome and prayed for an end to the Black Plague as did Pope Pius V in 1571 to pray for victory at the Battle of Lepanto and as did Pope Gregory XVI in 1837 to pray for the end of the cholera epidemic.
Roman-born Pope Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli) celebrated his first Holy Mass in front of it on April 1, 1899. In 1953, the icon was carried through Rome to initiate the first Marian year in Church history. In 1954, the icon was crowned by Pope Pius XII as he introduced a new Marian feast Queenship of Mary. Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis all honoured the Salus Populi Romani with personal visits and liturgical celebrations.
Read more about this topic: Salus Populi Romani
Famous quotes containing the word patronage:
“Each of the Arts whose office is to refine, purify, adorn, embellish and grace life is under the patronage of a Muse, no god being found worthy to preside over them.”
—Eliza Farnham (1815–1864)