Pope Leo XIV’s Mosaic Portrait Ready for St. Paul’s Basilica in Rome

Vatican, Jan 15, 2025: In keeping with a long-established Vatican tradition, the mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV has been completed for St. Paul’s Basilica in Rome and was presented to the Pope ahead of his Wednesday General Audience at the Vatican.

The Holy See Press Office announced on Wednesday that the Vatican Mosaic Studio of the Fabric of Saint Peter had finished the mosaic medallion dedicated to Pope Leo.

Following the custom observed after the election of every Pope, and a little over eight months after Pope Leo’s election, the studio completed the portrait destined for the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The work was carried out at the request of the Basilica’s Archpriest, Cardinal James Michael Harvey.

The circular mosaic, measuring 137 centimetres in diameter, was created at the Fabric of Saint Peter using glass enamels and gold mounted on a metal structure.

The individual tesserae—small pieces of glass or tile—were produced using the ancient cut-mosaic technique and fixed in place with the traditional oil-based mastic characteristic of Vatican craftsmanship.

The execution of the mosaic was based on a painted preparatory sketch by Master Rodolfo Papa. The oil-on-canvas work, created at the same dimensions as the mosaic roundel, was specifically designed for its translation into mosaic form.

Once installed, the mosaic will be placed beside the portrait of Pope Francis in the right nave of the Basilica, at a height of approximately 13 metres.

The painted sketch will be preserved at the Fabric of Saint Peter in the Vatican, together with the complete series of portraits of the Pontiffs.

Courtesy: Vatican News