Vatican City, Oct 16, 2019 / 07:18 am (CNA).- Fr. Giacomo Costa, a communications official for the Amazon synod, said Wednesday a wooden figure of a nude pregnant woman, which has been present at events related to the synod, is not the Virgin Mary, but is instead a female figure representing life.
“It is not the Virgin Mary, who said it is the Virgin Mary?” Costa said Oct. 16 at a press conference for the Amazon synod, a meeting taking place in the Vatican Oct. 6-27 on the ministry of the Church in the region.
The wooden figure of a pregnant woman has been described as both a Marian image and as a traditional indigenous religious symbol of the goddess Pachamama, or Mother Earth.
When told “many people have said” the woman is a figure of the Virgin Mary, Costa added “‘many have said,’ okay, as you like, but I have never heard that.”
“There is nothing to know. It is an indigenous woman who represents life,” he stated, adding that his information commission will look for more information about it, but “it is a feminine figure” and is “neither pagan nor sacred.”
Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Vatican communications dicastery, said Wednesday he sees the figure as “representing life.”
“Fundamentally, it represents life. And enough. I believe to try and see pagan symbols or to see… evil, it is not,” he said, adding that “it represents life through a woman.” He equated the image to that of a tree, saying “a tree is a sacred symbol.”
Ruffini said that interpretation is his personal opinion, and he was not speaking as the head of Vatican communications or synod communications.
He added that “We know that some things in history have many interpretations” and he would look for more information about the image and inform journalists about what he finds out.
Cristiane Murray, vice director of the Holy See press office, added that more information about the wooden figure should be sought from REPAM or the organizers of the events where the image has been present.
Mauricio Lopez, REPAM’s executive secretary, told CNA after the press conference that he could not comment on the press conference, directing CNA to Costa’s remarks, as the “official spokesperson” of the Synod.
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Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, where Bernini’s gorgeous bronze monument to the Chair of Peter acts as a massive
bronze reliquary for the historic wooden chair. / Credit: Vatican Media
Vatican City, Nov 9, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).
For the first time in over a century, the historic Chair of St. Peter, a wooden throne symbolizing the pope’s magisterial authority, has been removed from its gilded bronze reliquary in St. Peter’s Basilica to be displayed for public veneration.
Pilgrims and visitors can now behold this storied relic directly in front of the basilica’s main altar, just above the tomb of St. Peter, where it will remain on display until Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
The last major public viewing of the chair occurred in 1867, when Pope Pius IX exposed the Chair of Peter for the veneration of the faithful for 12 days on the 1,800th anniversary of the martyrdoms of St. Peter and St. Paul, according to Pietro Zander, head of the Necropolis and Artistic Heritage Section of the Vatican.
It was the first time that the centuries-old wooden throne had been exhibited to the public since 1666 when it was first encased within Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s monumental bronze sculpture under the stained-glass Dove of the Holy Spirit window at the basilica’s apse.
The historic wooden Chair of St. Peter as it is currently on display in St. Peter’s Basilica. Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA
Formally known as the Cathedra Sancti Petri Apostoli, or more simply as Cathedra Petri, the chair has held a revered place in Catholic tradition over the centuries, representing papal authority from St. Peter to the present.
“The chair is meant to be understood as the teacher’s ‘cathedra,’” art historian Elizabeth Lev told CNA. “It symbolizes the pope’s duty to hand down the teaching of Christ from generation to generation.”
“It’s antiquity [ninth century] speaks to a papacy that has endured through the ages — from St. Peter who governed a church on the run trying to evangelize with the might of the Roman Empire trying to shut him down, to the establishment of the Catholic Church and its setting down of roots in the Eternal City, to our 266th successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis,” she explained.
Pope Francis venerates the Chair of St. Peter at the end of the closing Mass of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 27, 2024, the first day the chair was displayed for public veneration. Credit: Vatican Media
A storied history
The wooden chair itself is steeped in history. According to the Vatican, the wooden seat was likely given by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles the Bald to Pope John VIII in A.D. 875 for the emperor’s Christmas coronation in the old St. Peter’s Basilica. A depiction of the emperor appears on the crossbeam of the chair, and its ivory panels illustrate the labors of Hercules along with other scenes from Greek mythology.
The informational sign near the chair in St. Peter’s Basilica informs visitors that “shortly after the year 1000, the Cathedra Petri began to be venerated as a relic of the seat used by the apostle Peter when he preached the Gospel first in Antioch and then in Rome.”
The Fabric of St. Peter, the organization responsible for the basilica’s upkeep, maintains that “it cannot be ruled out that this ninth-century imperial seat may have later incorporated the panel depicting the labors of Hercules, which perhaps originally belonged to an earlier and more ancient papal seat.”
Before returning the chair to its place within Bernini’s monumental reliquary, Vatican experts will conduct a series of diagnostic tests with the Vatican Museums’ Cabinet of Scientific Research. The ancient seat was last removed and studied from 1969 to 1974 under Pope Paul VI but was not shown to the public.
Closer details can be seen of the historic relic of the Chair of St. Peter. For the first time in over a century, the wooden throne symbolizing the pope’s magisterial authority has been removed from its gilded bronze reliquary in St. Peter’s Basilica to be displayed for public veneration. Credit: Daniel Ibanez
The recent restoration of Bernini’s works in the basilica, funded by the Knights of Columbus in preparation for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, made it possible for the chair to be moved from the bronze sculpture in August.
Pope Francis got a sneak peak of the relic in early October and a photo of the moment — showing him sitting in a wheelchair before the Chair of St. Peter — quickly went viral. Afterward, the pope requested that the relic be displayed for public veneration.
Francis ultimately decided that the Chair of St. Peter — a symbol of the Church’s unity under the instruction of Christ — would be unveiled for the public at the closing Mass for the Synod on Synodality.
“Pope Francis has been exceptionally generous to the faithful about displaying relics,” Lev said. “He brought out the bones of St. Peter shortly after his election, he had the Shroud of Turin on view in 2015, and now he has taken the Chair of Peter out for veneration in the basilica.”
“In our virtual age, where much confusion reigns between what is real and what is not, Pope Francis has encouraged us to come face to face with these ancient witnesses of our faith and our traditions.”
Pope Francis venerates the Chair of St. Peter at the end of the closing Mass of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 27, 2024, in Rome. Credit: Vatican Media
Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, celebrated each year on Feb. 22, dates back to the fourth century. St. Jerome (A.D. 347–420) spoke of his respect for the “Chair of Peter,” writing in a letter: “I follow no leader save Christ, so I enter into communion with … the Chair of Peter, for this I know is the rock upon which the Church is built.”
As Pope Benedict XVI explained in a 2006 catechesis: “‘Cathedra’ literally means the established seat of the bishop, placed in the mother church of a diocese, which for this reason is known as a ‘cathedral.”
“It is the symbol of the bishop’s authority and in particular, of his ‘magisterium,’ that is, the evangelical teaching which, as a successor of the apostles, he is called to safeguard and to transmit to the Christian community,” he said.
When a bishop takes possession of the particular Church that has been entrusted to him, he sits on the cathedra, Benedict explained: “From this seat, as teacher and pastor, he will guide the journey of the faithful in faith, hope, and charity.”
“The Church’s first ‘seat’ was the upper room, and it is likely that a special place was reserved for Simon Peter in that room where Mary, mother of Jesus, also prayed with the disciples,” he added.
Benedict XVI described Peter’s ministry as a journey from Jerusalem to Antioch, where he served as bishop, and ultimately to Rome. He noted that the See of Rome, where Peter ultimately “ended his race at the service of the Gospel with martyrdom,” became recognized as the seat of his successors, with the cathedra representing the mission entrusted to Peter by Christ.
“So it is that the See of Rome, which had received the greatest of honors, also has the honor that Christ entrusted to Peter of being at the service of all the particular Churches for the edification and unity of the entire people of God,” he said.
The Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, where Bernini’s bronze monument to the Chair of Peter acts as a massive bronze reliquary for the historic wooden chair. Credit: Vatican Media
Bernini’s Baroque masterpiece
Bernini’s monumental reliquary for the chair, commissioned by Pope Alexander VII and completed in 1666, is one of the most iconic artworks in St. Peter’s Basilica. Bernini encased the wooden relic within a bronze-gilded throne, dramatically raised and crowned by a stained-glass depiction of the Holy Spirit, symbolized as a dove, surrounded by sculpted angels.
The bronze throne is supported by massive statues of four doctors of the Church — two from the West, St. Augustine and St. Ambrose, and two from the East, St. John Chrysostom and St. Athanasius — symbolizing the unity of the Church through the ages, bringing together the teachings of both the Latin and Greek Church Fathers. And at the top of the throne, cherubs hold up a papal tiara and keys symbolizing papal authority.
On the chair itself, there are three gold bas-reliefs representing the Gospel episodes of the consignment of the keys (Matthew 16:19), “feed my sheep” (John 21:17), and the washing of the feet (John 13:1-17).
The ongoing restoration of Bernini’s monument at the Altar of the Chair, along with the recently finished restoration of the baldacchino, is significant not only in light of the 2025 Jubilee Year but also the upcoming 400th anniversary of the consecration of the current St. Peter’s Basilica in 2026.
“Celebrating the ‘Chair’ of Peter,” Benedict XVI said, “means attributing a strong spiritual significance to it and recognizing it as a privileged sign of the love of God, the eternal Good Shepherd, who wanted to gather his whole Church and lead her on the path of salvation.”
Vatican City, Feb 14, 2017 / 11:16 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis said Tuesday that the Word of God isn’t something that can be explained to people as a mere recommendation, or merely a good idea, but that it requires courage, prayer and humil… […]
8 Comments
From Costa and Ruffini we read: “The wooden figure of a pregnant woman has been described as both a Marian image and as a traditional indigenous religious symbol of the goddess Pachamama, or Mother Earth.”
“Fundamentally, it represents life. And enough. I believe to try and see pagan symbols or to see… evil, it is not. . .it represents life through a woman.”
First, a HYBRID–like the pagan Zeus was a hybrid offspring from a pagan deity and a primordial human, and then life through a woman IN PLACE OF all-creation from–as the incarnate Jesus Christ words it–a “Father who art in heaven.”
“Evil, it is not,” we are reassured. TRANSLATION: Don’t turn on the lights just yet.
I’ll let my imagination run wild a bit and envision Pachamama worship by Pope Francis and Hierarchy inside St Peter’s in front of the main altar. Pachamama who breast feeds pigs and weasels. And heretics. The Abomination of Desolation consecrated? Just a hideous passing thought. Back to reality. Although I don’t believe the Pontiff and hierarchy friends are occultists their apparent sham is to push a Naturalist agenda. That everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural or spiritual explanations are discounted. As said before this trial is permitted by God. And consequently there’s a purpose that apparently is the offer of two pathways one in obedience to Christ and salvation the other in obedience to purveyors of false doctrine.
Actually Steve the much larger majority of faithful outspoken Catholics are now Laity, which is to your point. My experience indicates clergy are largely silent more due to complacent lack of faith than fear of repercussion. If as trending due to lack of papal leadership, coherent doctrine – and that’s still an if – national hierarchies dissolve Laity will naturally assume prominence. Although I hope with some confidence there will be faithful bishops and cardinals even presbyters to which we can form a global diaspora type Church unified by one faith. Perhaps Benedict XVI had similar in mind when he envisioned a smaller remnant Church. Surely there will be a faithful remnant whatever transpires on this rocky road we’re treading.
Do a google/images search on pachamama. Some interesting photos and explanations come up.
YES, it is pagan and YES it was bowed down to in the Vatican…and that included a Franciscan in his habit. How stupid does the pope’s handlers think the laity is? This is 2019, where access to this information is easy and instantaneous.
My only question regarding all this nonsense is this: where are the MEN with enough testosterone to rid our chapel in the Vatican of these abominations? Where are the living saints who will stand up for the Church and throw out pagan idols from our churches?
Marge you deserve acknowledgment from a priest. There are men and women like yourself that I serve. There are unfortunately few priests where I’m at that see any issue and seem clueless. The missionaries I worked with in Africa and Africans themselves were more aware of events in the Church. The difficultly is a universal one. The appointment of bishops most of whom are concerned with position rather than conveying the Word of God. Exceptions of course Cardinal Sarah. I mentioned Pachamama idolatry though the Hierarchy are simply patronizing the indigenous more intent on the Pontiff’s agenda. A recent Rome poster showed a native woman holding her infant in one arm the other facilitating a weasel to feed from her breast likely a lampoon of the Pachamama nonsense. She likely has breast fed that weasel as a pup to keep him as a deterrent to rats a great problem in usually rat infested native villages. Rats who invade huts at night destroying food and attacking infants. She in her primitive condition trying to survive yet lampooned. These are the persons created in God’s image that we missionaries suffer to save from idolatry uplift to the image of Christ. Amazonia ideologues are more intent on patronizing the indigenous for sake of their false Christianity. This is the battle for truth within the Church and only the faithful brave will stand and for with Christ’s children.
Marge you’d likely be interested in an article, quite relevant addressing your point just posted by Edward Pentin in NCR. How an Amazon Pagan Rite Brought 48 Years of Demonic Torment, Until Christ Freed Me.
From Costa and Ruffini we read: “The wooden figure of a pregnant woman has been described as both a Marian image and as a traditional indigenous religious symbol of the goddess Pachamama, or Mother Earth.”
“Fundamentally, it represents life. And enough. I believe to try and see pagan symbols or to see… evil, it is not. . .it represents life through a woman.”
First, a HYBRID–like the pagan Zeus was a hybrid offspring from a pagan deity and a primordial human, and then life through a woman IN PLACE OF all-creation from–as the incarnate Jesus Christ words it–a “Father who art in heaven.”
“Evil, it is not,” we are reassured. TRANSLATION: Don’t turn on the lights just yet.
Wasn’t it pagan idolatry [spiritual adultery] that caused the Jews to be exiled to Babylon?
I’ll let my imagination run wild a bit and envision Pachamama worship by Pope Francis and Hierarchy inside St Peter’s in front of the main altar. Pachamama who breast feeds pigs and weasels. And heretics. The Abomination of Desolation consecrated? Just a hideous passing thought. Back to reality. Although I don’t believe the Pontiff and hierarchy friends are occultists their apparent sham is to push a Naturalist agenda. That everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural or spiritual explanations are discounted. As said before this trial is permitted by God. And consequently there’s a purpose that apparently is the offer of two pathways one in obedience to Christ and salvation the other in obedience to purveyors of false doctrine.
Fr. Morello,
I think there might be another purpose for disobedience to God in the hierarchy.
I think God might be slowly strengthening the laity to function in the midst of a future world environment where Christianity is largely illegal.
Actually Steve the much larger majority of faithful outspoken Catholics are now Laity, which is to your point. My experience indicates clergy are largely silent more due to complacent lack of faith than fear of repercussion. If as trending due to lack of papal leadership, coherent doctrine – and that’s still an if – national hierarchies dissolve Laity will naturally assume prominence. Although I hope with some confidence there will be faithful bishops and cardinals even presbyters to which we can form a global diaspora type Church unified by one faith. Perhaps Benedict XVI had similar in mind when he envisioned a smaller remnant Church. Surely there will be a faithful remnant whatever transpires on this rocky road we’re treading.
Do a google/images search on pachamama. Some interesting photos and explanations come up.
YES, it is pagan and YES it was bowed down to in the Vatican…and that included a Franciscan in his habit. How stupid does the pope’s handlers think the laity is? This is 2019, where access to this information is easy and instantaneous.
My only question regarding all this nonsense is this: where are the MEN with enough testosterone to rid our chapel in the Vatican of these abominations? Where are the living saints who will stand up for the Church and throw out pagan idols from our churches?
Marge you deserve acknowledgment from a priest. There are men and women like yourself that I serve. There are unfortunately few priests where I’m at that see any issue and seem clueless. The missionaries I worked with in Africa and Africans themselves were more aware of events in the Church. The difficultly is a universal one. The appointment of bishops most of whom are concerned with position rather than conveying the Word of God. Exceptions of course Cardinal Sarah. I mentioned Pachamama idolatry though the Hierarchy are simply patronizing the indigenous more intent on the Pontiff’s agenda. A recent Rome poster showed a native woman holding her infant in one arm the other facilitating a weasel to feed from her breast likely a lampoon of the Pachamama nonsense. She likely has breast fed that weasel as a pup to keep him as a deterrent to rats a great problem in usually rat infested native villages. Rats who invade huts at night destroying food and attacking infants. She in her primitive condition trying to survive yet lampooned. These are the persons created in God’s image that we missionaries suffer to save from idolatry uplift to the image of Christ. Amazonia ideologues are more intent on patronizing the indigenous for sake of their false Christianity. This is the battle for truth within the Church and only the faithful brave will stand and for with Christ’s children.
Marge you’d likely be interested in an article, quite relevant addressing your point just posted by Edward Pentin in NCR. How an Amazon Pagan Rite Brought 48 Years of Demonic Torment, Until Christ Freed Me.