An evening in San Lorenzo

“The Arch of Sixtus V can be found on the Largo Sisto V, where the rione Castro Pretorio meets the rione Esquilino and can be considered the entrance to the San Lorenzo neighborhood, which is not an official quarter (rione) of Rome, but a local name for part of the Tiburtino district.

The arch itself is a continuation of the Acqua Felice aqueduct and is also called the Arch of the Pears, because of its adornments, the pear being part of the coat of arms of Pope Sixtus V Peretti.

The Arch of Sixtus V has three openings and consists of big blocks of the tuff stone called “peperino” with travertine marble decorations. On both sides of the arch symbols associated with Pope Sixtus and his family can be seen, such as the star, the mountains and the lion.

The lower inscription on the Piazzale Sisto V side shows the date of its construction “In the Year of the Lord 1585 the first year of his pontificate”, while the one above it says that Sixtus V, out of his own pockets, paid for the creation of 13 miles underground and 7 miles on arched constructions, of the Felice Aqueduct.

The inscription on the Porta San Lorenzo side boasts that Sixtus, also with his own money, had the two roads, both in length and in width, constructed that lead to the churches of Saint Mary Major and Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs, in order to encourage the people’s devotion.”

Source : Romanhostels.com

Commitment

In the foreground are locks bound to the bridge, put there by lovers, then the keys tossed into the river.

In the background is the Basilica of San Pietro, holder of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

It’s a good thing I’m not a writer.

The Vatican from Ponte Sant’Angelo

Pilgrims coming again, perhaps over Ponte Sant’Angelo?

Written by David Willey BBC News, Rome

Sainthood ‘spectacular’ draws faithful to the Vatican

By David WilleyBBC News, Rome

The two new saints are drawing thousands of Catholics to the Vatican for a celebration

 

St Peter’s Square this weekend becomes the stage for one of the most spectacular events ever celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Vatican will hold the simultaneous canonisation by Pope Francis of two 20th-Century popes, who led the transition of the world’s oldest international organisation into the modern world – John XXIII and John Paul II.

Former Pope Benedict, now in retirement, is also expected to be present.

The stresses and strains of bringing the Catholic Church up to date – amid accusations of clerical sexual scandal, a growing problem of recruiting new priests, the flight from the pews in Europe and North America, and the general shift of the Church towards the developing world – are still being worked out by Pope Francis.

He will preside over a two-hour ceremony expected to attract more than 50 heads of state and government and more than a million faithful to the Church’s hub – the tomb of the Apostle Peter, the first Pope.

For the first time in history, two living popes, Francis and former Pope Benedict, will be witnessing the raising to the altars of two of their dead predecessors.

Read more @ BBC