TY - JOUR
T1 - Salus populi
T2 - Icons and the Protection of the People
AU - Noreen, Kirstin
N1 - Kirstin Noreen, “Salus populi: Icons and the Protection of the People,” Journal of Icon Studies 3, 2020
https://doi.org/10.36391/JIS3001
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - With the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Pope Francis prayed before an icon of the Virgin and Child in Santa Maria Maggiore and a crucifix in San Marcello, two images associated with miraculous healing and intercessory power. He subsequently had the icon and crucifix moved to St. Peter’s where they flanked the pope as he offered a special Urbi et Orbi blessing on March 27, 2020. To contextualize Francis’s use of an icon during the coronavirus outbreak, this article will trace the role of cult images in Rome during occurrences of disease and will briefly discuss the specific importance of the Santa Maria Maggiore icon for the early Jesuit Order.
AB - With the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Pope Francis prayed before an icon of the Virgin and Child in Santa Maria Maggiore and a crucifix in San Marcello, two images associated with miraculous healing and intercessory power. He subsequently had the icon and crucifix moved to St. Peter’s where they flanked the pope as he offered a special Urbi et Orbi blessing on March 27, 2020. To contextualize Francis’s use of an icon during the coronavirus outbreak, this article will trace the role of cult images in Rome during occurrences of disease and will briefly discuss the specific importance of the Santa Maria Maggiore icon for the early Jesuit Order.
M3 - Article
SN - 2473-7275
VL - 3
SP - 3
EP - 25
JO - Journal of Icon Studies
JF - Journal of Icon Studies
ER -