In keeping with tradition, the Vatican Mosaic Studio completes the mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV destined for the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and reveals the work to the Pope before his Wednesday General Audience in the Vatican.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
The Vatican Mosaic Studio of the Fabric of Saint Peter has completed the mosaic medallion dedicated to Pope Leo XIV, the Holy See Press Office announced on Wednesday.
In accordance with the ancient tradition that accompanies the election of every Pope, just over eight months after the election of Pope Leo XIV, the studio has completed the mosaic portrait destined for the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, at the request of the Basilica’s Archpriest, Cardinal James Michael Harvey.
The mosaic roundel, with a diameter of 137 centimeters, was created using glass enamels and gold on a metal structure at the studio of the Fabric of Saint Peter.
The tesserae (individual pieces of glass or tile) were produced using the ancient cut-mosaic technique and were set with the traditional oil-based mastic of the Vatican tradition.
The execution of the work was based on a painted preparatory sketch by Master Rodolfo Papa—an oil on canvas of the same dimensions as the mosaic roundel—specifically conceived for its translation into mosaic.
Mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV destined for the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (@Vatican Media)
The work will be installed in the space next to the portrait of Pope Francis, in the right nave of the Basilica, at a height of approximately 13 meters.
The painted sketch, on the other hand, will be preserved—together with the entire series of portraits of the Pontiffs—at the Fabric of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
Mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV destined for the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (@Vatican Media)
