A Guide to
​St Peter's Basilica

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Monument to Pope Gregory XVI

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Monument to Pope Gregory XVI

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Monument to Pope Gregory XVI (1848-57) by Luigi Amici
(Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, Belluno, b.1765/r.1831-46)
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The monument to Pope Gregory XVI was funded by the cardinals he created and is the work of the sculptor Luigi Amici (1817-97).

​Gregory XVI, the last monk to be elected pope, was one of the most reactionary figures to hold the office. He was fiercely critical of all modern developments, including the railways, about which he is reputed to have said, 'chemin de fer, chemin d'enfer' ('road of iron, road of hell'). 

The statues depict Wisdom, her head crowned by a flame, and Prudence with her attributes of a mirror and a snake. The relief illustrates the Propagation of the Faith. ​

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