St. Peter’s Basilica hosted on this March 22 the traditional ostension of the Veil of Veronica, one of the most emblematic relics linked to the Passion of Christ, in a ceremony that is celebrated only once a year during the fifth Sunday of Lent.
The relic was presented to the faithful from one of the balconies located on the pillars that support the basilica’s dome, in a moment marked by the solemnity and recollection proper to the liturgical season.
A tradition that endures in the heart of Rome
The ostension of the veil is part of an ancient Roman tradition, deeply rooted in popular piety, which recalls Veronica’s gesture in wiping Christ’s face on the way to Calvary. A celebration that takes on particular significance during Lent, inviting the faithful to contemplate Christ’s suffering face on his way to the Cross.