Vatican Mosaic Studio completes the traditional mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV for St. Paul Outside the Walls, continuing a revered papal tradition.
Newsroom (14/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) When a new Pope is elected, tradition and artistry meet in the form of dazzling mosaics that adorn Rome’s sacred spaces. This week, the Holy See Press Office announced that the Vatican Mosaic Studio of the Fabric of Saint Peter has completed and presented the mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV. The roundel will soon take its place among the long lineage of papal portraits at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the four major papal basilicas in Rome.
Revealed to the Pope ahead of his Wednesday General Audience, the mosaic represents a centuries-old custom that traces back through the papacy’s visual record. The unveiling comes just over eight months after Pope Leo XIV’s election, marking a symbolic milestone in the continuation of papal tradition.
Measuring an impressive 137 centimeters in diameter, the mosaic medallion showcases meticulous craftsmanship. It was fashioned from glass enamels and gold mounted on a robust metal framework within the Vatican’s historic Mosaic Studio. Each tessera—tiny cut pieces of glass or tile—was produced using the ancient cut-mosaic technique and fixed with the traditional oil-based mastic that has defined Vatican workmanship for generations.
At the heart of the design lies a painted preparatory sketch by Master Rodolfo Papa, an artist celebrated for his sacred works. Papa’s oil on canvas, crafted at the same scale as the final mosaic, served as both a guide and an artistic statement, conceived with the specific purpose of translation into mosaic form. The result is a piece that harmonizes spirituality, artistry, and tradition.
Once installed, the portrait of Pope Leo XIV will join that of Pope Francis in the right nave of the Basilica, positioned approximately 13 meters above the ground—a commanding spot within one of Christendom’s most revered spaces. Meanwhile, the original painted sketch will be preserved at the Fabric of Saint Peter in the Vatican, joining the extensive collection of papal portraits that chronicle the Church’s leadership through the centuries.
With this latest creation, the Vatican Mosaic Studio once again bridges the historic and the contemporary—using medieval techniques to affirm a living tradition. As visitors step into the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the mosaic of Pope Leo XIV will soon shine alongside those of his predecessors, a testament to the enduring dialogue between faith, art, and time.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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