Word: sanpietrini
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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...dome, the roofs, the porches and balustrades of St, Peter's burst into flames of thousands of flaring torches. The crowd cheered, while the basilica blazed like a vast birthday cake. As they went back home, in trams and through dark streets, there was much talk of the sanpietrini, those nimble workers of St. Peter's who had scurried about the dome and roof on skillfully manipulated ropes, fixing and lighting the torches...
...likewise at the basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, St. Paul-without-the-Walls. In solemn, robed procession the Pope will move from the Vatican to the front portico of St. Peter's. Thrice he will knock, with a golden hammer, on the Holy Door. Within, Sanpietrini (St. Peter's workmen) will lower the door away. The Pope will pray while prelates sprinkle the aperture with holy water. Then all will enter, kissing the jambs as they pass. Thereafter the public may enter all through the year. Calendar, Audiences with Pius XI will become increasingly frequent...
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