Imperial Gold and Marian Devotion: The Historical Relationship Between the Spanish Crown and Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
The four papal basilicas of Rome have always traditionally been associated with the most powerful crowns of Europe under the blessing of the Supreme Pontiff. Next week, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain are going to be in Rome for a unique event. Traditionally, since the 15th century, Spanish monarchs, bore the title of “Catholic monarchs” – they are now the only Catholic monarchs (that means Spanish queens get to wear white when meeting the pope) and thus they are the only Catholic kings to be granted the special privilege of being associated with a papal basilica in Rome. The Spanish Crown has for centuries been associated with the basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome’s foremost Marian shrine. Here, Spanish monarchs have long held the title of proto-canons of the basilica since Medieval times, a ceremonial role within the chapter, symbolizing an ancient connection with See of Peter as the leading Catholic power in Europe, certainly a slightly more faithful one when compared to ...
