Maria Salus Populi Romani

Notes

• The Maria Salus Populi Romani, meaning "Mary, Salvation of the Roman People," is a revered Byzantine-style icon located in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. This ancient image of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child is considered one of the oldest and most venerated Marian icons in the world, with its origins steeped in both history and legend.
• According to tradition, the icon was painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist on a cedarwood table built by Jesus himself during his time as a carpenter. While many scholars date the icon to the fifth or sixth century based on style and materials, many Catholic faithful believe its origins trace back to the apostolic era, making it a sacred relic of unparalleled significance.
• The icon's journey to Rome is attributed to Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, who brought it from the Holy Land in the early fourth century. Housed in Santa Maria Maggiore, the icon quickly became a focal point of devotion, earning its title as the protector of Rome through a series of reported miracles.
• One of the most famous stories associated with the icon occurred during a devastating plague that ravaged Rome in May. Pope Gregory the Great carried the icon in a solemn procession through the streets, and as they reached the Mausoleum of Hadrian, legend holds that the archangel Michael appeared atop the structure, sheathing his sword as a sign that the plague would end.
• Miraculously, the epidemic subsided, cementing the icon's reputation as a conduit of divine protection. Throughout history, the Maria Salus Populi Romani has been invoked during Rome's darkest moments, including invasions, famines, and natural disasters, such as the cholera outbreak in 1837 when Pope Gregory XVI prayed before it.
• The icon's ornate golden frame, encrusted with jewels, and the crowns placed on Mary and Jesus in 1953 by Pope Pius XII reflect centuries of veneration by the Catholic faithful. Popes have long turned to the icon for guidance and protection, especially before undertaking significant journeys.
• The tradition of papal visits to the icon before international trips began with Pope John Paul II, who saw it as a way to entrust his travels to Mary's care. Pope Francis continued this practice with remarkable devotion, making a pilgrimage to Santa Maria Maggiore to pray before the icon before and after every international trip.
• Pope Francis' connection to the icon runs deeper, as he announced his wish to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, very close to the Maria Salus Populi Romani, rather than in Saint Peter's Basilica, which is customary for popes today. This decision reflects his lifelong devotion to Mary and his desire to rest eternally close to the icon that has guided his pontificate.
• The choice of Pope Francis to be buried near the icon also aligns with his emphasis on humility, as Santa Maria Maggiore, while grand, carries a quieter, more intimate significance compared to the grandeur of Saint Peter's. The icon itself is a striking work of art, measuring roughly five feet by three feet, with Mary depicted with a serene yet commanding presence and the Christ child raising his hand in a gesture of blessing.
• For the faithful, the ancient icon is a living link to the apostolic age, a sacred object that channels divine grace and miracles. For historians and art scholars, it represents the resilience of Rome's Christian identity, while for Pope Francis, it was a spiritual touchstone and a reminder of Mary's role as mother and protector.
• The Maria Salus Populi Romani is believed to have ended a plague in ancient Rome when Pope Gregory the Great carried it in a procession, and the archangel Michael appeared, sheathing his sword as a sign that the plague would end. This event cemented the icon's reputation as a conduit of divine protection.
• The icon has been invoked throughout history during Rome's darkest moments, including invasions, famines, and natural disasters. In 1837, Pope Gregory XVI prayed before the icon as cholera swept the city, and once again, the icon was credited with halting the outbreak.
• The ornate golden frame of the icon, encrusted with jewels, and the crowns placed on Mary and Jesus in 1953 by Pope Pius XII reflect centuries of veneration by the Catholic faithful. Popes have long turned to the icon for guidance and protection, especially before undertaking significant journeys.
• Pope Francis continued the tradition of papal visits to the icon before international trips, making a pilgrimage to Santa Maria Maggiore to pray before the icon before and after every international trip. This practice reflects his remarkable devotion to the Maria Salus Populi Romani.
• If you're ever in Rome, visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the Maria Salus Populi Romani rests above the altar in the Borghese Chapel, surrounded by flickering candles and the prayers of the faithful. Soon, the tomb of Pope Francis will rest near this sacred relic, which countless faithful trust to protect the eternal city and all who seek its intercession.

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