Paus Pius IX zegent vanaf de Pieterskerkloggia 1860

This photograph by Altobelli & Molins captures a momentous event in 1860 - Pope Pius IX's blessing from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. The image depicts the basilica's façade with its iconic dome, a sea of people gathered in the square below, and a banner hanging from the loggia. The sheer scale of the crowd emphasizes the widespread popularity of Pope Pius IX, while the formal setting of the basilica underscores the significance of the papal blessing. This photograph serves as a visual record of the enduring power and influence of the papacy.