The Chair of St. Peter: A Spiritual Treasure in the Vatican Basilica

From October 27 to December 8, the historic Chair of St. Peter is on display in St. Peter’s Basilica, offering the faithful a unique opportunity to contemplate this symbol of the apostle’s primacy. The throne, which has been removed from its elegant gilded bronze reliquary, is placed on the altar of Confession after the Mass presided over by the Pope, marking the close of the Synod of Bishops, the first to be celebrated with the restored canopy.

An Unparalleled Experience in the Basilica

Upon entering the main nave of St. Peter’s Basilica, the grandeur of the place deeply impacts us. The magnitude of the space transforms our perception, leading us to feel the magnificence of creation. The visitor’s attention is inevitably drawn to two central elements: the altar of the Chair of St. Peter in the background, and the papal altar, with its majestic canopy over the apostle’s tomb. The latter will be inaugurated during the closing Mass of the Synod, after nine months of careful restoration. Pope Francis had the opportunity to admire the venerated Chair up close in the Ottoboni Sacristy before the opening of the Synod and decided that it would be exposed to public veneration at the conclusion of the event.

A Symbol of Love and Community

The Chair and the baldachin are not only masterpieces by the artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, but they are also intertwined in meaning. From the moment one enters the basilica, the baldachin frames the altar of the Chair, establishing a visual and spiritual connection. The papal altar represents the foundations of the Church, while the Chair symbolises the responsibility of Peter’s successors to preach the Gospel and guide the people of God. During the exhibition, the wooden throne representing this primacy will be accessible to the faithful, before returning to its golden reliquary. According to Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the basilica, “The ancient Chair of Peter is the Chair of Love”, a reminder that only through love can an authentic Christian community be built.