PASTORAL VISIT TO LORETO, Sept. 1-2, 2007
JOSEPH RATZINGER RETURNS
AS POPE BENEDICT XVI
The citizens of Loreto are counting the hours which separates them from their collective embrace of Benedict VXI at the Piazza della Madonna of their famous basilica.
This embrace will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday before the Holy Father leaves the city after a 24-hour visit. As a Cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger has presided at a Eucharistic Adoration and Blessing of the Sick in this Piazza, as well as a nighttime Procession of Our Lady of Loreto.
"It's been a year of preparations since the government recognized the Agora as a 'great national event'," says Mayor Moreno Pieroni. "The city has worked day and night for this great event, and we are now ready to live it. These days, all Loretans will give the best of themselves to make all these young people feel they are at home. And just as most of the homes in the area have welcomed this young people, Loreto is now ready to welcome the Pope."
Pieroni said that Loreto has shown that its vocation, more than ever, is 'Italy's open door to the youth of the world'.
Il Messaggero, 31 agosto 2007
A CLOSER LOOK AT LORETO
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"Qui gli angeli innalzaro il santo albergo,
che già Maria col santo Figlio accolse
e il portar sovra i nembi e sovra l'acque"
Torquato Tasso
[Here the angels raised the sacred home
where Mary and her divine Son dwelt
and carried it above the cloudes and overseas.]
Loreto (11,000 inhabitants) is the realization of a typical case of a Shrine generating a town, defining its characteristic features and funcions. Consequently, over the centuries the vicissitude of Loreto have almost always coincided with those of its Shrine.
Here are some of the town's main features:
Piazza of the Basilica Giovanni XXIII
The Sixteenth Century Portal built for the facade of the Basilica from a design attributed by some to Bramante and by others to Antonio da Sangallo the Younger.
In 1537 Nerucci built it into the facade of the Basilica, whence it was removed and placed in its present position in 1580. It is admirable for its exquisitely classical style, its graceful proportions and for the elegant and restrained relief of its decorations, that bring it into relief against the austere grey earthware walls of the Palace.
Across the square the visitor can admire the Monument to Pope John XXIII that gives the Piazza its current name. It was commissioned by the people of Loreto to commemorate the historical pilgrimage of the Pope to the Holy House on October 4, 1962.
It is the work of Alessandro Monteleone (1897-1967) who was unable to complete it according to the initial project thet had provided for a base of 1.35 mt. The single sculpted panel he completed depicts Pope John in the act of Blessing.
Piazza Leopardi or Piazza dei Galli
One side of the Piazza is a Long Portico Gallery built in the second half of the 17th century, when Vanvitelli's bell-tower was being built. It seems that in olden times it served as a shelter for the pilgrims who, arriving at the Shrine at night, found the city gates already closed.
Bastion of the Comune
On the far side of Sixtus V Road towers the Bastion of the Comune, built in 1518-1519 by Cristoforo Resse from his own design or, according to others, from a plan of Andrea Sansovino or of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, and commissioned by Pope Leo X who was concerned about the incursions of the Turks from the nearby Adriatic Sea.
Roman Gate
This was built about 1590 from a design of Pompeo Floriani, when it was also adorned with two statues of Prophets carved by Simone Cioli, initially intended for the Marble Screen of the Holy House (1538-1541).
Corso Boccalini
From Piazza Garibaldi one enters Corso Boccalini, named after the illustrious writer (born in Loreto 1556, died 1613), called Via dei Coronari until 1889.
Lotto Square
Lotto Square opens beneath the magnificent apses of the Basilica. The idea that first springs to mind is of a basilica-fortress, with its sentry walls along corbels dotted with machicolations and arrow-slits between separating merlons.
In this superb work by Baccio Pontelli (1487-1488) the practical requirement of military defence is in perfect harmony with Renaissance aesthetic elegance.
The Castellan Walls
On the south side stand the Castellan Walls and the Gate Tower, both realized by Cristoforo Resse probably from a design by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger (1517-1520).
Piazzale Giovanni Paolo II
Passing through the Marina Gate one reaches a balcony piazza, from where the visitor can enjoy a view, magnificent in its variety and vividness, stretching out to the sea and Mount Conero. The square was recently been embellished by a statue of St. Pio of Pretrelcina.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 01/09/2007 00:58]