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

The Popes' Church

26/7/2023

Statue of St Joachim and the Virgin Mary, facade of the church of San Gioacchino ai Prati, Rome

St Joachim and the Virgin Mary as a Young Girl

July 26th is the feast day of St Joachim, the husband of St Anne and the father of Mary.

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 a 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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