Quick facts for kids
Inno e Marcia Pontificale
| National anthem of |
the Vatican City |
| Also known as |
"Marche Pontificale"
English: "Pontifical March" |
| Lyrics |
Antonio Allegra (Italian, 1949)
Raffaello Lavagna (Latin, 1991) |
| Music |
Charles Gounod, 1869 |
| Adopted |
1949 |
The "Pontifical Anthem and March" (which means "Papal Anthem and March" in Italian and Latin) is also known as the "Papal Anthem". It is the special music played when the Pope or his representatives, like a nuncio (a type of ambassador), are present. It's also used for other important events. When the Vatican's flag is raised in a ceremony, only the first eight musical parts, called bars, are played.
Even though the Papal Anthem is the national anthem of the Holy See and the Vatican City State, the Vatican says it's more than just a national song. Its words and music are meant to "speak to the heart" of people around the world who see Rome as the center of the Catholic Church.
History of the Papal Anthem
How the Music Was Created
The music for the anthem was written in 1869 by a composer named Charles Gounod. He created it for a special event on April 11, 1869. This event celebrated Pope Pius IX's 50th anniversary of becoming a priest.
The music was originally just an instrumental piece, meaning it had no words. It was called "Marche pontificale," which is French for "Pontifical March." From the very first time it was played, it became super popular! On that day, it was performed by seven papal bands and a choir of over a thousand soldiers.
Becoming the Official Anthem
On October 16, 1949, Pope Pius XII announced that Gounod's "Marche Pontificale" would become the new papal anthem. It replaced an older anthem called "Marcia trionfale" from 1857. The old anthem had been used since the Vatican City State was founded in 1929.
Gounod's "Marche Pontificale" was first played in its new role on Christmas Eve of 1949. This was just one day before the start of the Holy Year in 1950. The old anthem was also played one last time, almost like a farewell.
Adding Words to the Music
After the music became the official anthem, people started writing words for it. In 1949, Antonio Allegra (who was an organist at St. Peter's Basilica) wrote Italian lyrics for Gounod's music.
Later, in 1991, Raffaello Lavagna wrote Latin lyrics for the anthem. These Latin words were arranged for a four-voice choir.
Lyrics
Italian lyrics by Allegra (1949)
| Italian original |
English translation |
Roma immortale di Martiri e di Santi,
Roma immortale accogli i nostri canti:
Gloria nei cieli a Dio nostro Signore,
Pace ai Fedeli, di Cristo nell'amore.
A Te veniamo, Angelico Pastore,
In Te vediamo il mite Redentore,
Erede Santo di vera e santa Fede;
Conforto e vanto a chi combatte e crede,
Non prevarranno la forza ed il terrore,
Ma regneranno la Verità, l'Amore.
Salve Salve Roma, patria eterna di memorie
Cantano le tue glorie, mille palme e mille altari
Roma degli Apostoli, Madre guida dei redenti
Roma luce delle genti, il mondo spera te!
Salve Salve Roma la tue luce non tramonta
Vince l'odio e l'onta lo splendor di tua beltà
Roma degli Apostoli, madre guida dei redenti
Roma luce delle genti, il mondo spera te!
|
O Rome immortal of Martyrs and Saints,
O immortal Rome, accept our praises:
Glory in the heavens to God our Lord,
And peace to men who love Christ!
To You we come, Angelic Pastor,
In You we see the gentle Redeemer,
The Holy Heir of true and holy Faith;
Comfort and refuge of those who believe and fight.
Force and terror will not prevail,
But Truth and Love will reign.
Hail, Hail Rome, eternal homeland of memories
Your glories sing, a thousand palms and a thousand altars
Rome of the Apostles, Mother guide of the redeemed
Rome, the light of the people, the world hopes for you!
Hail, Hail Rome! your light does not go down
Hatred and shame overcomes the splendor of your beauty
Rome of the Apostles, guiding mother of the redeemed
Rome light of the people, the world hopes for you!
|
Latin lyrics by Lavagna (1991)
| Latin original |
English translation |
Chorus:
O felix Roma – o Roma nobilis:
Sedes es Petri, qui Romae effudit sanguinem,
Petri cui claves datae sunt regni caelorum.
Pontifex, Tu successor es Petri;
Pontifex, Tu magister es tuos confirmans fratres;
Pontifex, Tu qui Servus servorum Dei,
hominumque piscator, pastor es gregis,
ligans caelum et terram.
Pontifex, Tu Christi es Vicarius super terram,
rupes inter fluctus, Tu es pharus in tenebris;
Tu pacis es vindex, Tu es unitatis custos,
vigil libertatis defensor; in Te potestas.
Vox acuta, vox altera ab acuta:
Tu Pontifex, firma es petra, et super petram
hanc aedificata est Ecclesia Dei.
Vox media, vox gravis:
Pontifex, Tu Christi es Vicarius super terram,
rupes inter fluctus, Tu es pharus in tenebris;
Tu pacis es vindex, Tu es unitatis custos,
vigil libertatis defensor; in Te potestas.
Chorus
O felix Roma – O Roma nobilis.
|
Chorus:
O happy Rome - O noble Rome
You are the seat of Peter, who shed his blood in Rome,
Peter, to whom the keys of the kingdom of heaven were given.
Pontiff, You are the successor of Peter;
Pontiff, You are the teacher, you confirm your brethren;
Pontiff, You who are the Servant of the servants of God,
and fisher of men, are the shepherd of the flock,
linking heaven and earth.
Pontiff, You are the vicar of Christ on earth,
a rock amidst the waves, You are a beacon in the darkness;
You are the defender of peace, You are the guardian of unity,
watchful defender of liberty; in You is the authority.
Sopranos, altos:
Pontiff, you are the unshakable rock, and on this rock
was built the Church of God.
Tenors, basses:
Pontiff, You are the vicar of Christ on earth,
a rock amidst the waves, You are a beacon in the darkness;
You are the defender of peace, You are the guardian of unity,
watchful defender of liberty; in You is the authority.
Chorus
O happy Rome - O noble Rome.
|
See also
In Spanish: Inno e Marcia Pontificale para niños
- Index of Vatican City-related articles
