Wojciech Rogacin – Vatican City
In a small hall of the Paul VI Audience Hall, Leo XIV had the opportunity to admire the “clipeo” – a mosaic tondo depicting his likeness, which will be installed in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.
To be placed next to Francis’s portrait
The mosaic tondo, called clipeo, was made by the Vatican Mosaic Studio of the Fabric of Saint Peter, which, according to tradition, prepares a work created after the election of each pope. The mosaic of Leo XIV was completed eight months after his election.
The mosaic will be placed next to the portrait of Pope Francis, in the right nave of the basilica, at a height of about 13 meters.
15 thousand elements
The tondo, with a diameter of 137 centimeters – as stated in the press release from the Holy See Press Office – was made of glass enamels and gold on a metal structure, and its elements were created using the ancient technique of cut mosaic and fixed with traditional Vatican oily mortar. The mosaic consists of 15 thousand elements, and those forming the face of Pope Leo date back to the 19th century.
In prayer with the Pope
The work is a transfer to mosaic of the painter’s sketch by master Rodolfo Papa, who painted the portrait of Leo XIV in oil on canvas. The painting has exactly the same dimensions as the tondo and was specially designed for transfer to mosaic. The painting will be stored along with the entire series of papal portraits in the Fabric of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
The work was presented to Pope Leo by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica, and the Abbot of St. Paul’s Monastery, Father Donato Ogliari. They were accompanied by master Rodolfo Papa and the director of the Vatican Mosaic Studio, Paolo Di Buono. After the meeting, Leo XIV, together with those present, prayed by the work.
