ROMAN –
A small display window, just steps from the Basilica of St. Peter a few blocks away, is attracting a lot of attention these days.
In the front pavilion, along a narrow cobblestone street, is the most precious gift given to the gallery curator: one of the last vestments worn by Pope Benedict XVI before he died. took office in 2013.
“This is very important to me; it’s a huge recognition of the work we’re doing to try to create a museum,” Ivan Marsura, director of Galleria Arte Poli, told CTV National News on Wednesday.
The simple white vestment with a short white ‘pellegrina’ robe was given to Marsura, who said he was planning to establish a “Museum of the Popes” with dozens of items he had collected. been for many years.
“To prevent things and things belonging to the popes from disappearing,” Marsura said.
The costume is currently one of his favorite items.
Some of the thousands of people who had come to St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects to the dying Benedict stopped by the gallery, many taking a photo and even taking pictures. Selfie with shirt.
“Yesterday, there was a mother and her child in a wheelchair, and they came here and asked if the child could get married,” Marsura said.
When they did, she told him the child’s second name was Benedict.
“They were very emotional; It was so touching,” he said.
Marsura started his private collection years ago, buying the items at first, but he said in 2013, when the Vatican gave him one of the vestments of Benedict XVI, the bishops and the rose. Other doctors have donated to his collection. A museum and foundation appears to be under construction, with the goal of preventing documents and photos from being lost or stolen.
Marsura said he has hundreds of documents, books, pictures and other objects, some of which are already on display in galleries, but he wants to set up an official museum and a charity.
Lying on the floor of the gallery is a large banner that reads “Benedict XVI – Doctor of the Church.” Marsura said he believes Benedict is taller than a saint, and that he is planning with some friends to raise the banner at Benedict’s funeral on Thursday.
Outside, people stop in front of the gallery, admire the costumes and take pictures.
“I love being in Rome, one of the most beautiful parts is the historical and cultural significance of everything and the cathedral is not to be missed.” Courtney Mills, an opera singer who moved to Rome from the United States, told CTV National News.
She believes “[Benedict] is a great music lover and wants to bring joy and beauty into the lives of many people and I think that is very important.”
Seeing this vestment from the street, just a few blocks from where Benedict was buried, seems to bring joy to many, a unique way to pay their respects where they least expect it. .
