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Saint Peter’s Basilica and surroundings
POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI
Joseph Ratzinger is 92 years old, is Pope Emeritus, and lives in the Vatican, in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.
CHRISTMAS 2019 IN SAINT PETER’S SQUARE
The Italian term “Natale” – “Christmas” – derives from the latin dies natalis, day of birth.
POPE FRANCIS
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, first of five children, was born in Buenos Aires on December 17th 1936.
VATICAN GENDARMERIE
The origins of the corps date back to medieval times, but the founder of the modern institution was Pius VII in 1816.
THE CHAIR OF SAINT PETER
In ancient Rome ‘la cattedra’ – the chair or throne – was the seat of notables: magistrates, officials or teachers.
THE SACRISTY OF SAINT PETER’S
The Sacristy pf Saint Peter’s stands at the entrance to the Necropolis of Saint Peter, a few meters from the south side of the basilica