Travertine

Carlo Maderno

1607 – 1614 facade

Facade. Central section

    Saint Peter’s basilica did not always have a gallery for benedictions: Once a temporary wooden pulpit was erected in front of the Basilica on important occasions. This use lasted for a long time. The construction of a gallery begun under Pope Pius II (1458-1464) to the east, along the entrance to the Basilica, in front of the steps leading to the square.

    The gallery that is visible today on the second floor of the façade was built to a design by Carlo Maderno and used for the first time, for the blessing of the Ascension, May 13, 1611. It is of great importance, given that it is from the central window of this gallery that the first cardinal deacon proclaims the name of the new pope elected in Conclave.

    Moreover at Christmas and Easter, the Pope gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing (directed not only to the city of Rome, Urbi , of which the pope is the bishop, but to the whole Catholic world, Orbi).

    On 6 February 1922, the newly elected Pope Pius XI ( 1922-1939 ), gave here his first Urbi et Orbi blessing from here, an event that had not occurred since 1870 with Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) . The gesture had immense symbolic value.

Photo and video of announcement of new Pope;

Urbi et Orbi Blessing