The Vatican Mosaic Studio, part of the Fabric of St. Peter’s Basilica, has completed the mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV. This piece will be added to the series of medallions that decorate the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, as is customary with each new Pope.

The Holy See Press Office reported the completion of the work, which was presented to the Holy Father before his General Audience on Wednesday at the Vatican.

The commission was made by the Archpriest of the basilica, Cardinal James Michael Harvey, and the process was completed eight months after the election of the Pontiff.

The portrait takes the form of a circular medallion with a diameter of 137 centimeters. It is made with glass enamels and gold leaf applied to a metal base. The classic Roman cut mosaic technique was used, where the tesserae are fixed with the traditional oil-based mortar employed in the Vatican.

Its creation was based on a preparatory sketch painted in oil on canvas by the master Rodolfo Papa, adjusted exactly to the size and format of the final mosaic.

Once installed, the medallion will take its place in the right aisle of the basilica, next to the portrait of Pope Francis and about 13 meters high.

The original oil painting will be kept in the Fabric of St. Peter, forming part of the complete collection of papal portraits.

This practice of honoring the Popes through mosaic portraits in St. Paul Outside the Walls has historical roots and was systematically resumed after the 19th-century reconstruction, maintaining the sequence of medallions that symbolizes the apostolic succession of Peter.