IDLE SPECULATIONS: Papa Paints The Papi

Rodolfo Papa,

Lunette with Pope Celestine V and Pope Benedict XVI, 2010

Oil on canvas

77x144 cm,

The side door of the Cathedral of San Panfilo in Sulmona, Italy for the visit of the Pope on 4th July 2010

On 4th July 2010, Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting the city of Sulmona in Southern Italy. It is to celebrate the 800th year since the birth of Pope St. Peter Celestine V.(c. 1215 - 19 May 1296).

It is part of the celebrations of the year long festival: Anno Giubilare Celestiniano 2009-2010

The medieval pope was buried in L'Aquila, in Abruzzo's largest Romanesque church, the 13th-century Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio.

His remains were removed for safe keeping to Sulmona after the basilica suffered serious damage in the quake which killed 300 people and devastated L'Aquila and surrounding areas last April.

He was also known as Pietro da Morrone, the name of the mountain near Sulmona (and which overlooks it) where he retired to lead a hermit's life before being convinced to accept the papacy in 1294.

As part of the celebrations the Pope will visit the Cathedral and the lunette showing both himself and St Celestine will be unveiled.

He will also see the other paintings by Rodolfo Papa in the cathedral and which were installed and consecrated by the Bishop Angelo Spina of Sulmona-Valvao on 28th October 2009.

These are below.