Pontifical Anthem

Inno e Marcia Pontificale
Music sheet
Sheet music for the "Papal Anthem"

National anthem of the Vatican City
Also known as"Marche Pontificale" (English: "Pontifical March")
LyricsAntonio Allegra (Italian, 1949)
Raffaello Lavagna (Latin, 1991)
MusicCharles Gounod, 1869
Adopted1949
Preceded by"Marcia trionfale"
Audio sample
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version

The "Pontifical Anthem and March" (Italian: Inno e Marcia Pontificale; Latin: Hymnus et modus militaris Pontificalis), also known as the "Papal Anthem", is the anthem played to mark the presence of the Pope or one of his representatives, such as a nuncio, and on other solemn occasions.[1] When the Vatican's flag is ceremonially raised, only the first eight bars are played.[2]

While the Papal Anthem also serves as the national anthem of the Holy See and the Vatican City State, the Vatican stresses that it "is not to be understood as a national anthem"; it is a composition whose words and music "speak to the heart of many throughout the world who see in Rome the See of Peter."[1]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference vpageEn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference vpageIt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).