Here we get a glimpse into the never seen papal sacristy. In this photo one can see the Eastern pallium of Pope Benedict as well as his goofy cross and one of those of Pope John Paul II.
These objects are never seen by the tourist. The closest thing to this is the treasury museum open to the public attached to the sacristy of the Basilica of St. Peter.
Many thanks to my Hungarian confrere, Fr. Ervin Kovács, who actually took these photos. He was a student at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute and so their professor, Mons. Marini, gave his class a private tour.
4 comments:
Which cross of Benedict's are you saying is goofy? I don't understand.
I was never a great admirer of the JPII cross with the bowed crossbeam, but didn't realize that Pope Benedict used a different one.
Thank you so very much for posting these beutiful and rare pictures.
yes, as far as i know, there are a few of this model of cross floating around used by paul, john paul i and ii and benedict (all in museums now except the one benedict uses for public papal masses). artisans/firms famous in italy make them.
There are errors in this original post. In fact the Eastern pallium worn by the Pope IS seen each time Benedict celebrates Mass in public, as is the pastoral cross initiated under Paul VI. I think the comment that this is a 'goofy' cross is crass and undignified.It ought be corrected. This is a magnificent pastoral cross reflecting the Lord on the Cross. It was a liturgical hallmark of John Paul II as he crossed the globe. I was there at his first public Mass in October 1978 after his election and he raised it high at the end of Mass. A sad comment by you on this cross. Adam G.
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