Vatican City
Inno e Marcia Pontificale
Pontifical Anthem and March
1869
1950
Antonio Allegra (Italian lyrics, 1991)
Charles Gounod
✝ God / Faith 🌅 Hope ☮ Peace |
Context
The music was composed by Charles Gounod in 1869 for the silver jubilee of Pope Pius IX. Italian lyrics by Antonio Allegra were added in 1991, replacing the original French text. The anthem has been the official anthem of Vatican City since 1950.
Lyrics
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.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Interesting facts
- • Composed by Charles Gounod, the famous French composer known for his opera Faust and the Ave Maria
- • The current Italian lyrics were only added in 1991, replacing the original French text
- • Vatican City's anthem is the only national anthem composed by a world-renowned classical composer