Sant'Antonio da Padova in Via Merulana

41°53′19.71″N 12°30′14.2″E / 41.8888083°N 12.503944°E / 41.8888083; 12.503944LocationVia Merulana 124-B, RomeCountryItalyDenominationRoman CatholicTraditionLatinWebsiteOfficial websiteHistoryStatusMinor basilica,
titular churchDedicationAnthony of PaduaConsecrated1888ArchitectureArchitect(s)Luca CariminiArchitectural typeChurchGroundbreaking1884Completed1888SpecificationsMaterialsMarbleAdministrationProvinceRomeClergyCardinal protectorAmérico Aguiar

The Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua al Laterano (Italian: Sant'Antonio da Padova all'Esquilino, Latin: S. Antonii Patavini de Urbe) is a Roman Catholic titular church in Rome on Via Merulana, one block from the Obelisk of St. John Lateran. It was built for the Order of Friars Minor, who needed a new home after they were moved from Santa Maria in Ara Coeli to allow the construction of the Victor Emmanuel II Monument.

The church was consecrated on 4 December 1887 and was elevated to minor basilica status in 1931.^[1]

On 12 March 1960 Pope John XXIII made it a titular church as a seat for cardinals.^[2] The current cardinal priest of the Titulus Sancti Antonii Patavini de Urbe is Américo Aguiar.

Architecture

Two staircases provide access to the gantry of the church, where a statue of Saint Anthony of Padua stands holding the Christ Child. Inside, the church is constructed of three naves, divided by two columns of pillars made of pink marble. The general decoration of the church was done by Friar Bonaventura Loffredo da Alghero in 1889–1890. The fresco of the apotheosis of the Franciscan family in the apse area of the sanctuary was done by Friar Loffredo.

The paintings of the side altars were done by various artists, mainly Franciscan: St. Clare of Assisi by Giuseppe Bravi (1844–1908); St. Francis of Assisi by Franz De Rhoden (1817–1903); Japanese Martyrs crucified in 1597 in Nagasaki by Cesare Mariani (1826–1901); Immaculate Mary by Francesco Szoldatiez (1916); St. Ludovico di Tolosa by Eugenia Pignet (1940). Other paintings were done by the friars Giuseppe Maria Rossi, Caio D' Andrea and Michelangelo Cianti.

List of cardinal priests

• Peter Doi (28 March 1960 – 21 February 1970)
• António Ribeiro (5 March 1973 – 24 March 1998)
• Cláudio Hummes (21 February 2001 – 4 July 2022)
• Américo Aguiar (30 September 2023 – Present)

See also

• Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, in Padua

Notes

References

• Benedetto Pesci, OFM, "Storia della Basilica di S. Antonio" in Official Website of the Basilica: Basilica di Sant'Antonio al Laterano, Roma
• Mariano Armellini, Le chiese di Roma dal secolo IV al XIX, Roma 1891
• C. Rendina, Le Chiese di Roma, Newton & Compton Editori, Milano 2000, p. 37
• C. Cerchiai, Rione XV Esquilino, in AA.VV, I rioni di Roma, Newton & Compton Editori, Milano 2000, Vol. III, pp. 968–1014

External links

• Lucentini, M. (31 December 2012). The Rome Guide: Step by Step through History's Greatest City. Interlink. ISBN 9781623710088.
• Media related to Sant'Antonio da Padova all'Esquilino at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by Sant'Andrea della Valle

Landmarks of Rome Sant'Antonio da Padova in Via Merulana

Succeeded by Sant'Apollinare, Rome