This week in Christian history: Episcopal diocese breaks away, St. Peter’s Basilica completed

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, November 14, 2021

St. Peter’s Basilica officially completed – Nov. 18, 1626

People line up to visit St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, April 24, 2014. | (Photo: Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi)

This week marks the anniversary of when St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most famous church buildings in the world and a prominent part of the scenery of Rome, was officially completed. The building lies in the papal enclave, Vatican City.

St. Peter’s replaced an older church constructed by Roman Emperor Constantine in the early fourth century on Vatican Hill, where the Apostle Peter is believed to be buried.

“The new basilica took 120 years to complete and all the great architects of the Roman Renaissance and Baroque were part of its design,” the website Roma Experience explains.

“Many architects were consulted, however the main contributors to the creation of St Peters Basilica were Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donato, Giacomo della Porta and Maderno.”

Once completed, the basilica was consecrated by Pope Urban VIII.