San Roberto Bellarmino church, Modern Catholic church in Parioli district, Rome, Italy
San Roberto Bellarmino is a Catholic church in Rome's Parioli neighborhood, built with an octagonal plan and red brick walls left exposed on the outside. The gabled facade is defined by a triple octagonal window arrangement, and two bell towers frame the building on either side.
Construction started in 1931 under architect Clemente Busiri Vici, and the church was not consecrated until 1959. Nearly three decades passed between the start of the project and its completion, making it a witness to Rome's long building process in the twentieth century.
The interior features mosaics by Renato Tomassi and stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Saint Robert Bellarmin. The high altar was donated by the celebrated tenor Beniamino Gigli and stands at the center of the sanctuary.
The church holds regular services, and visitors can get up-to-date information from the parish office or its website. Going outside of service times generally allows for a quieter visit to the interior.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known today as Pope Francis, held the title of cardinal priest of this church from February 2001 until March 2013, just before his election as pope. This makes the building a quiet but direct link to one of the most watched moments in recent Church history.
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