Quick facts for kids
Inno Pontificio
|
| 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 Hymn" is the official anthem of Vatican City. People also call it the "Pontifical Anthem and March." It is played during major celebrations. For example, it plays when the Pope arrives. It also plays for his special helpers, called a nuncio. When guards raise the Vatican's flag, bands play the first eight bars.
Even though it acts like a national anthem, it has a unique meaning. The leaders in Vatican City State say it is more than a country song. Instead, the music speaks to hearts all around the world. It connects people everywhere who look to Rome and the See of Peter for guidance.
History of the Pontifical Hymn
A famous composer named Charles Gounod wrote this grand music in 1869. He was born in France. He wrote it to honor Pope Pius IX. That special year marked fifty years of service for the pontiff. The original tune had no words at all. Gounod titled it "Marche pontificale," using the French words for "Pontifical March."
Musicians first performed this grand piece on April 11, 1869. The performance began right at four o'clock in the afternoon. It was huge. Seven separate bands played instruments together. A massive chorus of over one thousand soldiers sang along. People instantly loved the exciting, booming sound.
Becoming the Official Anthem
For many years, the papal state used a different song. It was called the "Marcia trionfale", which had been composed by Viktorin Hallmayer in 1857. That song served as the anthem when modern Vatican City began in 1929. However, church leaders eventually wanted a change.
On October 16, 1949, Pope Pius XII chose Gounod's piece as the new anthem. It officially replaced Hallmayer's older march. Bands performed the new anthem on Christmas Eve in 1949. This happened right before the special Holy Year of 1950. Musicians played the old march one last time out of respect.
Adding Words to the Music
Originally, the piece was purely an instrumental tune. In 1949, a musician named Antonio Allegra wrote new lyrics. He worked as an organ player at St. Peter's Basilica. Allegra wrote his verses using the Italian tongue. His words praised peace, faith, and unity.
Later on, other writers added their own verses in different languages. In 1991, a writer named Raffaello Lavagna from Savona created new words. He wrote these lyrics using Latin, an ancient tongue. A musician named Alberico Vitalini arranged this version for a four-part choir. Today, people can hear both versions during special church events.
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!
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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.
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Current In-use Latin lyrics (Modified version of 1991 lyrics)
O felix Roma, O felix Roma nobilis.
O felix Roma, Roma felix Roma nobilis.
Sedes es Petri, qui Christi vicem gerit,
Sedes es Petri, qui apostolus est pacis.
𝄆 Pontifex tecum erimus omnes nos
Pontifex es magister qui tuos confirmas fratres. 𝄇
Pontifex fundamentum ac robur nostrum,
Hominumque piscator pastor es gregis ligans terram et coelum.
𝄆 Petre, tu es Christi es Vicarius super terram,
Rupes inter fluctus, tu es pharus ac veritas.
Tu Christi es caritas, tu es unitatis custos,
Promptus libertatis defensor; in te auctoritas. 𝄇
O Roma nobilis – O Roma felix nobilis.
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See also
In Spanish: Inno e Marcia Pontificale para niños
