The Mosaic Portrait of Pope Leo XIV: Completed and Ready for St. Paul's Basilica

The Mosaic Medallion of Pope Leo XIV

On Wednesday, the Holy See Press Office announced the completion of the mosaic medallion dedicated to Pope Leo XIV by the Vatican Mosaic Studio of the Fabric of Saint Peter. As part of the centuries-old tradition of choosing a new pope, eight months after electing a pope, the artist has now finished the first portrait of the new pope.

The artist completed the framed mosaic portrait for Saint Paul’s Cathedral outside of the walls of Rome at the request of Cardinal Harvey (the archpriest of the cathedral).

Craftsmanship and Technique

The mosaic roundel, measuring 137 centimeters in diameter, was crafted from glass enamels and gold upon a metal framework at the studio of the Fabric of Saint Peter. Using the traditional oil-based mastic employed by the Vatican artisans, the tesserae (the individual pieces of glass and tile) were made by adhering them to the surface using the ancient cut-mosaic technique.

The project was based on a painted preparatory sketch created by Master Rodolfo Papa (an oil on canvas the same dimensions as the completed mosaic roundel) that was explicitly intended to be converted from a painted sketch into a mosaic.

Installation at Saint Paul's Basilica

The installation of the work will take place in the area adjacent to the portrait of Pope Francis, located in the right nave of the Basilica, at an elevation of approximately 13 meters. Conversely, the painted sketch will be retained—along with the complete collection of portraits of the Pontiffs—within the Fabric of Saint Peter at the Vatican.