Papal Tombs and Monuments (1800-2005) Part VII

Pope St Pius X

His Eminence Giuseppe Melchiorre Cardinal Sarto, Cardinal Priest of San Bernardo alle Terme, Patriarch of Venice. Elected Bishop of Rome on 4 August 1903 in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, taking the name Pius X.

Pope Pius X died on 20 August 1914 in Rome. He was buried on 23 August in the Grottoes of the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica. He was beatified on 3 June 1951, and canonized on 29 May 1954 by Pope Pius XII. His mortal remains were transferred on 17 February 1952 to the altar of the Chapel of the Presentation of the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica.

The image above shows Pope St Pius X's original tomb in the Grottoes of the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica. The image below shows the current tomb in the Presentation Chapel of the same Basilica. The face and hands are covered with silver.

The monument to Pope St. Pius X was planned by the architect Florestano Di Fausto and carved by the sculptor Pietro Astorri in 1923.

Papal Tombs and Monuments (1800-2005) Part VI

Pope Leo XIII

His Eminence Gioacchino Vincenzo Cardinal Pecci, Cardinal Priest of San Crisogono, Bishop of Perugia with the title of Archbishop ad personam, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. Elected Bishop of Rome on 20 February 1878 in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, taking the name Leo XIII.

Pope Leo XIII died on 20 July 1903 in Rome. He was buried on 25 July in the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica. On 22 October 1924 his mortal remains were transferred to the Patriarchal Lateran Basilica, where on 27 October he was buried.

The monument to Pope Leo XII is the work of Giulio Tadolini. It was funded by the Cardinals that Leo had created.

Papal Tombs and Monuments (1800-2005) Part V

Pope Pius IX

His Eminence Giovanni Maria Cardinal Mastai-Ferretti, Cardinal Priest of Santi Marcellino e Pietro, Bishop of Imola with the title of Archbishop ad personam. Elected Bishop of Rome on 16 June 1846 in the Quirinal Apostolic Palace, taking the name Pius IX. Crowned on 21 June.

Pope Pius IX died on 7 February 1878 in Rome. He was buried on 13 February in the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica. His mortal remains were transferred on 13 July 1881 to the basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Rome. He was beatified on 3 September 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

The image above shows the original tomb in San Lorenzo. The images below show how the tomb looks today, having being opened up following Pius IX's beatification in 2000.

Papal Tombs and Monuments (1800-2005) Part IV

Pope Gregory XVI

His Eminence Mauro Cardinal Cappellari, O.S.B.Cam., Cardinal Priest of San Callisto, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide. Elected Bishop of Rome on 2 February 1831 in the Quirinal Apostolic Palace, taking the name Gregory XVI. Consecrated to the episcopate (being the last Pope not to be a bishop on his election) and crowned on 6 February.

Gregory XVI died on 1 June 1846 in Rome. He was buried on 6 June in the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica.

The monument, by Luigi Amici, rises above a door which leads to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

Papal Tombs and Monuments (1800-2005) Part III

Pope Pius VIII

His Eminence Francesco Saverio Cardinal Castiglioni, Cardinal Bishop of Frascati, Grand Penitentiary, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Index, was elected Bishop of Rome on 31 March 1829 in the Quirinal Apostolic Palace, taking the name Pius VIII, and was crowned on 5 April.

Pope Pius VIII died on 30 November 1830 in Rome. He was buried on 6 December in the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica. His remains were transferred on 5 June 1846 to the Grottoes of the same basilica.

The Monument to Pius VIII was created by Pietro Tenerani. It is in the Neoclassical style and shows the Pontiff kneeling; above him is the statue of Christ enthroned, and below, are the statues of Sts. Peter and Paul. On the base are the allegorical figures of Prudence and Justice. Through the door visible beneath the monuments is the entrance to the Basilica's Sacristy and Treasury Museum.