Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Cultural activities to mark the 5th centenary of St Peter’s Basilica were presented at a press conference at the Holy See Press Office this morning. Bishop Vittorio Lanzani, delegate of the Fabbrica di S. Pietro said. “"The Governorate of Vatican City State will issue a series of commemorative stamps of the value of 0.45 and 0.60 Euro," he said. "The first represents the commemorative medal of Bramante, produced by Cristoforo Foppa between the years 1505 and 1506. ... The second depicts the medal placed in the foundations of the new St. Peter’s, also the work of Cristoforo Foppa." Both stamps bear the inscription: "Templum Divi Petri in Vaticano 1506-1606.". Two medals will be minted for the occasion, one in silver and one in two different metals, the work of the Italian engraver Sergio Giandomenico. One side shows the consignment of the keys to St. Peter against the background of the basilica, with the emblem of the Fabric of St. Peter's underneath and the inscription "Patriarcalis Basilica Principis Apostolorum 1506-1606" around the edge. On the other side is an image of the Holy Father with the phrase "Benedictus XVI, Pontifex Maximus."
“Everyone knows that the new St Peter’s was constructed over the first Basilica (started around 320 and completed around 355) built at the order of Emperor Constantine over the Tomb of St Peter half way up Vatican Hill - said Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, arch-priest of St Peter’s -. After one thousand two hundred years the first basilica was showing evident signs of structural fragility and already towards the end of 1300 the Supreme Pontiffs were considering building a new church a project which was realised with the laying of the foundation stone exactly five hundred years ago by Pope Julius II.” Cardinal Marchisano affirmed that no other monument in the world was built by so many famous architects as St Peter’s, and that the building and artistic decoration constitute a work of "first evangelisation" for visitors to the church.
Archbishop Angelo Comastri, president of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, illustrated briefly the reasons which led to the demolition of the old Basilica and the building of the new one highlighting the archaeological confirmation of the written and oral tradition that St Peter is buried here. “The purpose of celebrations for the 5th centenary- Archbishop Comastri concluded - is simply to underline this fact and to revive devotion to St Peter the apostle so that with renewed enthusiasm with him we too may say: ‘Jesus, you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” and also: ‘Lord you know everything: you know that I love you.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/2/2006 - righe 34, parole 487)
