Salus Populi Romani – Ornate Dark Framed Art

The centuries-old icon Salus Populi Romani (Protectress, or Health, of the Roman People) is one of the most popular images of the Virgin Mary in the city of Rome and throughout Italy. Like many of the icons of the Madonna in this pose and style, pious legend claims that the image was painted by St. Luke on the dining room table of the Holy Family which is said to have been built by Christ himself while working in his father’s shop. The original icon resides in the Borghese Chapel at the Basilica of St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome, Italy.Salus Populi Romani has had a significant role in papal celebrations and prayers for centuries, beginning with its reception from Constantinople by Pope Gregory the Great on the banks of the Tiber River. Pope St. Pius V processed through Rome with the icon in 1571, praying the rosary and asking Mary’s intercession for the Christian naval fleet during the Battle of Lepanto. Pope Francis has shown a particu