Rome

Papal Basilica of St. John in Lateran

By Progetto Arte Poli

The new papal ambo

The papal ambo harmoniously fits into the basilica’s existing architecture while also maintaining a connection with the past through the pluteus inserted on its front. Dating from the Constantinian era and preserved in the Basilica’s archeological area, it was restored and incorporated into the front of the ambo.

The bronze eagle

The bronze coat of arms and the solomonic columns that decorate the altar

Pope Francis at the inauguration of the new ambo

the marble sculptoreal elements

Made of Carrara marble, the ambo is composed of several hand-carved sculptural elements, capitals and solomonic columns, embellished with mosaic decorations

Making of the marble columns

Insertion of the mosaic decoration into the columns

The bronze elements

The ambo is further embellished with bronze elements: the eagle of Saint John, and the coat of arms of Pope Francis and Cardinal de Donatis. Cast using the ancient lost-wax technique, they are in keeping with the coat of arms on the papal altar, recalling not only the technique but also the symbolic and decorative intent.

…an ambo that would express the theological meaning of proclaiming the Word, and whose architectural form would recall the cathedra of the Bishop of Rome and the altar, restoring to Scripture an authentic liturgical space within the context of the Basilica.”