Pope Leo XIV contemplated on this January 13, in the small hall of the Paul VI Audience Hall, the mosaic portrait (clipeus) made for him by the Vatican Mosaic Studio, a work that, according to tradition, is prepared after the election of each Pontiff. This was reported by Vatican News.
The tondo, 137 centimeters in diameter, will be installed in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, next to the portrait of Pope Francis, in the right side nave of the temple, at about 13 meters high. The piece has been made with vitreous enamels and gold on a metal frame. According to the Holy See Press Office, approximately 15,000 tesserae were used, made with the ancient technique of cut mosaic and fixed with oil-based stucco (Roman stucco), traditional in the Vatican.
At the presentation, those present were Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Peter; Cardinal James Michael Harvey, emeritus archpriest of Saint Paul Outside the Walls; and Father Donato Ogliari, abbot of the Monastery of Saint Paul. Also participating were Rodolfo Papa himself and Paolo Di Buono, director of the Vatican Mosaic Studio. At the end of the meeting, the Pope prayed next to the work with those present.