Word: sampietrini
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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Finished with the ceremonies, the procession worked its way through St. Peter's; some women from the audience tried to push into the line, were restrained; all went home; the sampietrini, Vatican workmen, rubbed their palms, went home too. A year before Pius XI had opened the Holy Year by hitting the Holy Door with a gold hammer (TIME, Jan. 5). Although strong enough to give a stalwart blow (until immured in the Vatican by papal policy since his election in 1922, he led an active, energetic life; was even a famed mountain climber), he contented himself then with only...
...sooner was he seated than the effect of his hammering was seen. The massive door was slowly falling in-lowered by unseen sampietrini (workmen) upon a bell-signal from the master of ceremonies. Down, down it went, and was wheeled away on massive casters affixed beforehand. Came the penitents of the Vatican basilica, with holy water and blessed towels, to scour and scrub and dry the aperture. Came a thunderous peal of joy from the bells of St. Peter's, echoed at once all over Rome by 400 other church belfries. The Pope stood erect on his throne...
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