Tomb of St. Peter (The Confessio)

 

St. Peter’s Relics and a Mosaic of Jesus Christ from Old St. Peter’s Basilica

The Confessio is the sacred space directly beneath the Papal Altar and Bernini’s Baldacchino in St. Peter’s Basilica, marking according to tradition the burial site of St. Peter, the first Pope. It serves as a focal point of devotion, where pilgrims can approach and pray before the apostle’s relics. The space is illuminated by 99 oil lamps, symbolizing eternal faith and reverence. The name Confessio refers to Peter’s confession of faith in Christ, which led to his martyrdom.

St. Peter's Basilica in facts stands on the Vatican Necropolis, an ancient Roman burial ground. In the 1940s, Pope Pius XII authorized archaeological excavations that uncovered a first-century necropolis, confirming that St. Peter was indeed buried beneath the basilica. The discovery included a red wall (Muro Rosso), along with a Greek inscription reading "Peter is here" (Petros eni). Nearby, a hidden repository contained bones wrapped in purple cloth with gold thread, suggesting they belonged to someone of great importance. After scientific analysis, Pope Paul VI announced in 1968 that these relics were convincingly identified as St. Peter’s remains.

One of the most significant artistic elements of the Confessio is the 9th-century mosaic of Christ, which was originally part of Old St. Peter’s Basilica, built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. This mosaic, depicting Christ giving a blessing, was positioned above the original altar of Old St. Peter’s Basilica, symbolizing the connection between the ancient church and its grand Renaissance successor.

The Confessio not only represents St. Peter’s enduring presence but also serves as a powerful reminder of the Church’s unbroken history, from the time of Jesus and the Apostles, the martyrdom of the early christians after the Great Fire of Rome, and the legalization and promotion of Christianity by Emperor Constantine to our current age. The basilica is a testament to the unbroken continuity of the Catholic Church from generation to generation.