The "Pontifical Anthem and March" ( it, Inno e Marcia Pontificale; la, Hymnus et modus militaris Pontificalis), also known as the "Papal Anthem", is the

anthem An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to short ...

played to mark the presence of the Pope or one of his representatives, such as a

nuncio An apostolic nuncio ( la, nuntius apostolicus; also known as a papal nuncio or simply as a nuncio) is an ecclesiastical diplomat, serving as an envoy or a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or to an international or ...

, and on other solemn occasions. When the Vatican's flag is ceremonially raised, only the first eight bars are played. While the Papal Anthem also serves as the national anthem of the Holy See and the Vatican City State, the Vatican stresses that it "is not to be understood as a national anthem"; it is a composition whose words and music "speak to the heart of many throughout the world who see in Rome the

See of Peter The Holy See ( lat, Sancta Sedes, ; it, Santa Sede ), also called the See of Rome, Petrine See or Apostolic See, is the jurisdiction of the Pope in his role as the bishop of Rome. It includes the apostolic episcopal see of the Diocese of Rome ...

History

The music was composed in 1869 by Charles Gounod, for the celebration on 11 April 1869 of Pope Pius IX's golden jubilee of priestly ordination. The purely instrumental piece in three parts, originally called "Marche pontificale" (

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

for "Pontifical March"), became extremely popular from its first performance.Pontifical Anthem and its History
From the official site of Vatican City State. Accessed on 2009-06-21.
(in Italian). From the official site of the Holy See. Accessed on 2009-06-21. It was first performed that day at four o'clock in the afternoon with seven pontifical bands and a chorus of over one thousand soldiers. On 16 October 1949,

Pope Pius XII Pope Pius XII ( it, Pio XII), born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli (; 2 March 18769 October 1958), was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2 March 1939 until his death in October 1958. Before his e ...

declared it the papal anthem, replacing

Viktorin Hallmayer Viktorin Hallmayer (also ''Hallmayr''; 5 September 18319 May 1872) was an Austrian composer and band conductor, best known as the author of the '' Marcia Trionfale'', the first anthem of the Catholic Pontificate and of the Vatican City State. Hal ...

's " Marcia trionfale" (1857), which, being still the papal anthem when the Vatican City State was founded in 1929, had been treated also as the new state's anthem. Gounod's "Marche Pontificale" was first performed in this new role during a ceremony on

Christmas Eve Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus. Christmas Day is observed around the world, and Christmas Eve is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation ...

of 1949, one day before the opening of the Holy Year 1950. The old state anthem too was played for a last time, almost as a token of respect. At that time,

Antonio Allegra Antonio Allegra (1905 – 1969) was an Italian organist and lyricist. As one of the organists of St. Peter's Basilica at his time, he wrote the words to ''Inno e Marcia Pontificale'', which was adopted in 1949 as the national anthem of the Holy See ...

(1905–1969), who was then one of the organists of St. Peter's Basilica, wrote Italian lyricsInno Pontificio
lyrics, with brief historical notes and MIDI file. From the official site of the Holy See. Accessed on 2009-06-21. for Gounod's music. Other lyrics have been composed for the music in various languages and by different authors. In 1991,

Raffaello Lavagna Raffaello, Raffaele or Raffaellino is an Italian given name. It usually refers to Raphael (a.k.a. Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino), an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. Raffaello may also refer to: * Raffaello (confection), a co ...

Savona Savona (; lij, Sann-a ) is a seaport and ''comune'' in the west part of the northern Italy, Italian region of Liguria, capital of the Province of Savona, in the Riviera di Ponente on the Mediterranean Sea. Savona used to be one of the chie ...

(1918–2015) wrote Latin lyrics for a four-voice choir, on an arrangement by Alberico Vitalini.Score for choir of four voices by Alberico Vitalini with original Latin text by Monsignor Raffaello Lavagna
From the official site of the Holy See. Accessed on 2009-06-21.

Lyrics

Italian lyrics by Allegra (1949)

Latin lyrics by Lavagna (1991)

Alternative Latin lyrics

Notes

References

External links

Official site of Vatican City State

Streaming audio, lyrics and information about the Pontifical Anthemarchive link
{{Authority control Royal anthems Vatican City culture Compositions by Charles Gounod 1869 compositions European anthems National anthems Latin-language Christian hymns National anthem compositions in F major