The Façade Of St. Peter’S Basilica

At the very center of the façade is an inscription carved in letters approximately one meter high , which reads:

“IN HONOREM PRINCIPIS APOST PAVLVS V BORGHESIVS ROMANVS PONT MAX AN MDCXII PONT VII”

This inscription may be translated as:

“Paul V Borghese, a Roman, Supreme Pontiff, in the year 1612, the seventh year of his pontificate, [built this] in honor of the Prince of the Apostles.”

The façade is articulated by eight colossal columns, each nearly three meters in diameter and 27 meters in height.

From the central balcony (Loggia of the Blessings), the Cardinal Protodeacon proclaims in Latin the words “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”), announcing the election and name of the newly chosen Pope, thereby marking the conclusion of the papal conclave. Following this announcement, the newly elected Pope appears and imparts his first Urbi et Orbi blessing as the Supreme Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church. The bas-relief beneath the balcony, executed by the sculptor Buonvicino, depicts the scene of Christ handing the keys to Saint Peter.

About Urbi et Orbi

Urbi et Orbi is a solemn papal blessing given by the Pope from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Before imparting this blessing, the Pope addresses people around the world, offering greetings in several widely spoken languages. This blessing is traditionally bestowed on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday, and it is also given on special occasions such as a papal inauguration or during a Holy Year. The faithful may receive the Urbi et Orbi blessing either in person here in St. Peter’s Square or through television, radio, and other media worldwide.

The blessing invokes peace and God’s grace, and, under the usual conditions established by the Church, it allows the faithful to receive a plenary indulgence, meaning the remission of the temporal punishment due to sins that have already been forgiven.

At the very top of the façade is the attic level, distinguished by eight square windows. Along the balustrade stand thirteen statues carved in travertine stone, representing Christ the Redeemer, Saint John the Baptist, and the eleven Apostles. Saint Matthias is included among them because of his close association with the Eleven Apostles, with whom he bore witness to the Resurrection of Christ.