Tradition attributes Salus Populi Romani to the hands of St. Luke. The Marian Icon underwent a restoration process between 2017 and 2018.
Italy – Rome (28/01/2022 2:12 PM, Gaudium Press) The Marian icon Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the Roman People), venerated in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, was analyzed by technicians from the Vatican Museums’ painting restoration laboratory.
Excellent state of conservation
The inspection of the Marian icon was attended by the Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, the director of the Vatican Museums, Barbara Jatta, representatives of the Chapter, and the extraordinary commissioner of this Papal Basilica, Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas. After a brief prayer, the reliquary was moved to the Basilica’s Chapter Hall, where it was opened for professionals’ evaluation.
According to the group of technicians, since its restoration, carried out in the Vatican Museums between the years 2017 and 2018, the state of conservation of the Marian icon remains excellent. After the professionals’ evaluation, the icon was returned to its climate-controlled box, developed to ensure its conservation, and exposed in its chapel shortly after the Angelus.
Salus Populi Romani
Tradition attributes the production of the Marian icon Salus Populi Romani to the hands of St. Luke. Since the Middle Ages, it has received special veneration by the people of Rome, who turn to the Mother of God for protection, and to ward off danger and misfortune.
Currently, the icon is displayed in a niche on the main altar of the Pauline Chapel built by Pope Paul V. Before going on any trip and when returning from it, Pope Francis visits it to ask for protection or to give thanks for the results obtained. (EPC)
Compiled by Roberta MacEwan