Vatican Unveils Official Mosaic Medallion of Pope Leo XIV

New Papal Mosaic Unveiled in Vatican City

Vatican City witnessed the unveiling of an official mosaic medallion depicting Pope Leo XIV on January 14, 2026. The intricate artwork, created by the renowned Vatican Mosaic Studio of the Fabric of Saint Peter, is destined for installation in the historic Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. This event continues a revered centuries-old tradition within the Catholic Church.

Craftsmanship and Tradition

The mosaic medallion, measuring an impressive 137 centimeters (54 inches) in diameter, showcases meticulous craftsmanship. It was fashioned from glass enamels and gold, mounted on a robust metal framework. The creation involved approximately 15,000 tiny cut pieces of glass or tile, known as tesserae, produced using the ancient cut-mosaic technique and fixed with traditional oil-based mastic, a hallmark of Vatican workmanship. The design is based on a preparatory oil painting by Master Rodolfo Papa, an artist celebrated for his sacred works. This painted sketch, created to the same scale as the final mosaic, will be preserved at the Fabric of Saint Peter.

The tradition of creating mosaic portraits for each new pontiff dates back to the fifth century with Pope Leo I, and was notably revived by Pope Pius IX after the devastating fire of 1823 that damaged the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The basilica is known for its extensive series of mosaic portraits of all popes since Saint Peter.

Pope Leo XIV: The 267th Successor of Peter

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, was elected as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. He is recognized as the first American-born Pope and the first from the Order of Saint Augustine. His election followed the death of Pope Francis. The completion of his mosaic comes just over eight months after his election, marking a significant milestone in his pontificate.

Installation at Saint Paul Outside the Walls

The mosaic medallion is slated for installation in the right nave of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. It will be positioned approximately 13 meters (43 feet) above the ground, joining the portrait of his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis, and visually continuing the unbroken line of papal images that adorn the basilica's interior. The project was commissioned at the request of Cardinal James Michael Harvey, the Archpriest of the Basilica.