Inno e Marcia Pontificale

The "Pontifical Anthem" is the national anthem of the Vatican City, a tiny country located smack-dab in the city of Rome. It is also known as the "Papal Anthem".^[1]

Inno pontificio

English: Pontifical Anthem
Sheet music for the "Papal Anthem"
National anthem of the Vatican City
Lyrics	Antonio Allegra (Italian version, 1949) Raffaello Lavagna (Latin version, 1991)
Music	Charles Gounod, 1869
Adopted	1949
Preceded by	"Marcia trionfale"

History

This song comes from the 19th century. The song's music was composed in 1869 by a French composer named Charles Gounod. For a long time, this song did not have words; lyrics weren't written for it until 1949, when the Italian organist Antonio Allegra made words for it. In that same year, this song was adopted as the anthem of the Vatican City and the Holy See, now with the Italian lyrics. To preserve the region's Roman and Christian identity, words in the Latin language were made for it 1991, by Raffaello Lavagna.^[1][2]

Lyrics

The original Italian version

Words of the song in Italian

Translation of these words into English

Roma immortale di Martiri e di Santi, Roma immortale accogli i nostri canti: Gloria nei cieli a Dio nostro Signore, Pace ai Fedeli, di Cristo nell'amore. A Te veniamo, Angelico Pastore, In Te vediamo il mite Redentore, Erede Santo di vera e santa Fede; Conforto e vanto a chi combatte e crede, Non prevarranno la forza ed il terrore, Ma regneranno la Verità, l'Amore. Salve Salve Roma, patria eterna di memorie Cantano le tue glorie, mille palme e mille altari Roma degli Apostoli, Madre guida dei redenti Roma luce delle genti, il mondo spera te! Salve Salve Roma la tue luce non tramonta Vince l'odio e l'onta lo splendor di tua beltà Roma degli Apostoli, madre guida dei redenti Roma luce delle genti, il mondo spera te![1]

O Rome immortal of Martyrs and Saints, O immortal Rome, accept our praises: Glory in the heavens to God our Lord, And peace to men who love Christ! To You we come, Angelic Pastor, In You we see the gentle Redeemer, The Holy Heir of true and holy Faith; Comfort and refuge of those who believe and fight. Force and terror will not prevail, But Truth and Love will reign. Hail, Hail Rome, eternal homeland of memories Your glories sing, a thousand palms and a thousand altars Rome of the Apostles, Mother guide of the redeemed Rome, the light of the people, the world hopes for you! Hail, Hail Rome! your light does not go down Hatred and shame overcomes the splendor of your beauty Rome of the Apostles, guiding mother of the redeemed Rome light of the people, the world hopes for you![1]

The Latin version

Words of the song in Latin	Meaning of these words in Italian	Meaning of these words in English
Chorus: O felix Roma – o Roma nobilis: Sedes es Petri, qui Romae effudit sanguinem, Petri cui claves datae sunt regni caelorum. Pontifex, Tu successor es Petri; Pontifex, Tu magister es tuos confirmans fratres; Pontifex, Tu qui Servus servorum Dei, hominumque piscator, pastor es gregis, ligans caelum et terram. Pontifex, Tu Christi es Vicarius super terram, rupes inter fluctus, Tu es pharus in tenebris; Tu pacis es vindex, Tu es unitatis custos, vigil libertatis defensor; in Te potestas. Vox acuta, vox altera ab acuta: Tu Pontifex, firma es petra, et super petram hanc aedificata est Ecclesia Dei. Vox media, vox gravis: Pontifex, Tu Christi es Vicarius super terram, rupes inter fluctus, Tu es pharus in tenebris; Tu pacis es vindex, Tu es unitatis custos, vigil libertatis defensor; in Te potestas. Chorus O felix Roma – O Roma nobilis.[1]	Coro: O Roma felice - O Roma nobile: sede di Pietro, che a Roma sparse il (suo) sangue, di (quel) Pietro, cui sono state date, le chiavi del regno dei cieli, Pontefice, Tu sei il successore di Pietro; Pontefice, Tu sei il maestro che confermi i tuoi fratelli; Pontefice, Tu il Servo dei servi di Dio, pescatore di uomini, pastore del gregge, Sei Colui che lega il cielo e la terra. Pontefice, Tu il Vicario di Cristo sei sulla terra, roccia tra i marosi, faro nelle tenebre (ai naviganti); Tu vindice di pace, sei dell'unità il custode, vigile difensore della libertà, in cui è potestà. Soprani e contralti: Tu, Pontefice, sei la stabile pietra, e su questa pietra è edificata la Chiesa di Dio. Tenori i bassi: Pontefice, Tu il Vicario di Cristo sei sulla terra, roccia tra i marosi, faro nelle tenebre; Tu vindice di pace, sei dell'unità il custode, vigile difensore della libertà, in cui è potestà. Coro O Roma felice - O Roma nobile.[3]	Chorus: O happy Rome – O noble Rome You are the seat of Peter, who shed his blood in Rome, Peter, to whom the keys of the kingdom of heaven were given. Pontiff, You are the successor of Peter; Pontiff, You are the teacher, you confirm your brethren; Pontiff, You who are the Servant of the servants of God, and fisher of men, are the shepherd of the flock, linking heaven and earth. Pontiff, You are the vicar of Christ on earth, a rock amidst the waves, You are a beacon in the darkness; You are the defender of peace, You are the guardian of unity, watchful defender of liberty; in You is the authority. Sopranos, altos: Pontiff, You are the unshakable rock, and on this rock was built the Church of God. Tenors, basses: Pontiff, You are the vicar of Christ on earth, a rock amidst the waves, You are a beacon in the darkness; You are the defender of peace, You are the guardian of unity, watchful defender of liberty; in You is the authority. Chorus O happy Rome – O noble Rome.[1]

The more common Latin version

Words of the song in Latin	Meaning of these words in Italian[4]	Meaning of these words in English
O felix Roma, O felix Roma nobilis. O felix Roma, Roma felix Roma nobilis. Sedes es Petri, qui Christi vicem gerit, Sedes es Petri, qui apostolus est pacis. 𝄆 Pontifex tecum erimus omnes nos Pontifex es magister qui tuos confirmas fratres. 𝄇 Pontifex fundamentum ac robur nostrum, Hominumque piscator pastor, es gregis ligans terram et coelum. 𝄆 Petre, tu es Christi es Vicarius super terram, Rupes inter fluctus, tu es pharus ac veritas. Tu Christi es caritas, tu es unitatis custos, Promptus libertatis defensor; in te auctoritas. 𝄇 O Roma nobilis, O Roma felix nobilis.[5][6]	O Roma felice - O felice nobile Roma. O Roma felice, Roma felice, Roma nobile. Sede di Pietro, che rappresenta Cristo. Sede di Pietro, che è l'apostolo della pace. 𝄆 Pontefice, con te saremo tutti noi, Pontefice, il maestro che supporta i suoi fratelli. 𝄇 Pontefice, fondamento e nostra forza, E pescatore di uomini, pastore del gregge, colui che collega la terra al cielo. 𝄆 Pietro, tu sei Cristo suo vicario sulla terra, Roccia tra le onde, tu sei faro e verità. Tu sei la Carità di Cristo, tu sei costode dall'unità, Promotore difensore della libertà, in te l'autorità. 𝄇 O Roma nobile - O nobile Roma felice.	O happy Rome, O happy noble Rome. O happy Rome, Happy Rome, noble Rome. You are the seat of Peter, who takes the place of Christ, You are the seat of Peter, who is an apostle of peace. 𝄆 Pontiff, we will all be with you. Pontiff, be the teacher who confirms your brethren. 𝄇 Pontiff, our foundation and our strength, Fisher of men, shepherd of the flock, binding earth and heaven. 𝄆 Peter, you are the vicar of Christ on earth, A rock amidst the waves, you are a beacon and the truth. You are the love of Christ, you are the guardian of unity, Ready defender of liberty; authority is in you. 𝄇 O happy Rome, O noble happy Rome.[1]

References

1. Inno Pontificio e la sua storia. Vatican.va
2. Pontifical Anthem and its History. Official site of Vatican City State.
3. Inno Pontificio lyrics, with brief historical notes and MIDI file. From the official site of the Holy See. Accessed on 2009-06-21.
4. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ujbL0f8aCEo&si=-RbjhLdCSHi8g2pR
5. Inno Pontificio Coro
6. National Anthem of Vatican City (Holy See): Inno e Marcia Pontificale (2020-04-12). Uploaded by Duke of Canada on YouTube.