The Chapel of the Madonna of the Column
The Chapel of the Madonna of the Column
| After the chapel dedicated to St. Leo the Great, beneath
the small dome that lets in a soft light to enhance the colored marble
in the Basilica, we come to the Chapel of the Virgin of the Column, with
an ancient painting of the Virgin on the column that had been part of the
Old Basilica. In 1607 the painting, framed by fine marbles and precious
alabaster columns was placed on this altar designed by G. Della Porta.
In 1645 the Vatican Chapter ordered golden crowns plaaced
on the head of the Virgi and Infant Jesus. After the second Vatican Council,
Pope Paul VI honored her with the title of "Mother of the Church." Then
in 1981 Pope John Paul II ordered a mosaic copy placed on the outside wall
of the palace overlooking St. Peter's Square when, illuminated during the
night, it shines with a graceful smile on those who stop to admire it.
The Pope unveiled and blessed it on 8 December of the same year. The light
from the dome highlights the altar-frontal which, like many others, was
designed by Bernini and reproduced in colored mosaic with such skill that
it seems to be an embroi-
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