One of the most inspiring Catholic sights to behold in Rome is about to get an addition: Pope Leo XIV’s mosaic portrait is complete and will soon be added to the series of 266 papal portraits in the apse of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.
According to Rome Reports, the round mosaic, which has a diameter of 137 centimeters, is made up of more than 15,000 individual pieces, called tesserae.
“The tesserae (individual pieces of glass or tile) were produced using the ancient cut-mosaic technique and were set with the traditional oil-based mastic of the Vatican tradition,” Vatican News reported.
The portrait is based on a sketch by Rodolfo Papa, the outlet noted. It added that the Vatican Mosaic Studio of the Fabric of Saint Peter completed the new Pope’s portrait, the Holy See Press Office announced Jan. 14.
Once the mosaic is installed, about 13 meters from the ground, Pope Leo’s portrait will stand in the artistic timeline of popes that reaches all the way back to Saint Peter.
According to the Vatican’s website, the tradition of papal mosaics being displayed at St. Paul Outside the Walls began in the 5th century with Pope Leo I. Many of the original mosaics were destroyed in a fire that engulfed the basilica in 1823. Pope Gregory XVI ordered new papal mosaics to be created.
Pope Leo’s portrait will likely be installed just in time for the Holy Father to preside over second vespers Jan. 25 at St. Paul Outside the Walls for the solemnity of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle.
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