Vatican City: The miraculous crucifixion that saved Rome from the pestilence of the 16th century has been shifted from the altar of the San Marcello al Corso church to St. Peter’s Square. It will be in the presence of this Crucifixion that tomorrow Pope Francis will deliver his ‘Urby a Orbi’ (for the city of Rome and the world). Vatican officials have temporarily removed the miraculous Crucifixion from the shrine Wednesday morning. Signs from the Vatican say the figure will be placed in Vatican Square today.
It is only this miraculous crucifixion that survived the fire of May 23, 1519, when the Temple and all the images and figures of the Altar were completely burnt. Within three years, when the Black Plague took hold of Rome, at the behest of believers, the ‘Servants of Maria Via del Corso’ was making its way from the convent to the Vatican Square. The plague had disappeared from Rome by the time it returned to St. Marcellus, which lasted for 16 days from August 4, 2022, in each corner of Rome.
Since then, the Crucifixion is brought to the Vatican every 50 years. The cross is also inscribed with the names of the popes who witnessed the demonstrations. It is the last engraved name of St. John Paul II, who embraced this cross on the 2,000th day of forgiveness in the jubilee year. In the wake of the coronation, last Sunday (March 15), Pope Francis prayed in front of the Pope in front of the cross.
