Pope Leo XIII and the Church of San Gioacchino ai Prati, Rome

The Popes' Church

26/4/2021

Portrait of Pope Leo XIII, stained glass window, church of San Gioacchino, Rome

Portrait of Pope Leo XIII (r. 1878-1903), San Gioacchino ai Prati

The church of San Gioacchino ai Prati was built to honour the fiftieth anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of Pope Leo XIII (r. 1878-1903). It is dedicated to St Joachim, the father of the Virgin Mary (Leo XIII was born Gioacchino Pecci). The pope's portrait appears twice: in the mosaic on the facade and in one of the many beautiful stained glass windows.

The church, which was designed by Raffaele Ingami (1838-1908), was consecrated on June 6th, 1911. Uniquely, it is crowned with a metal finial that takes the form of monstrance, the receptacle in which the consecrated host is displayed.

San Gioacchino ai Prati is an example of a chiesa pontificia, which means that it is the property of the pope.

Gallery

Lantern, church of San Gioacchino ai Prati, Rome

Facade of church of San Gioacchino ai Prati, Rome

Mosaic, facade of the church of San Gioacchino ai Prati, Rome

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