Viterbo – Mayor Chiara Frontini at the presentation of the exhibition dedicated to the 40th anniversary of John Paul II’s visit to the city
by Daniele Camilli
Viterbo – “Every pope should see the transport of the Santa Rosa car, he should see the passion and faith of the porters”. The mayor Chiara Frontini, this morning in the council room of Palazzo dei Priori during the presentation of the photographic exhibition It was worth it for a pope to come to Viterbo dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the pastoral visit of John Paul II to the city of the popes. May 27, 1984. On that occasion there was the extraordinary transport of the car.
“Every pope should see the transport of the Santa Rosa car – says Frontini -. He should see the passion and faith of the porters. Presenting this exhibition to the city has this meaning. The transport is a metaphor of love, faith and dedication to one’s saint.”
Together with Frontini, this morning there are also the president of the porters’ association Massimo Mecarini, the vicar of the diocese Luigi Fabbri, Anna Proietti of the Santa Risa study center and the Enit councilor Sandro Pappalardo.
The exhibition will be inaugurated on May 25th at 5pm at the monastery of Santa Rosa and will remain on display until June 16th.
Chiara Frontini
An exhibition which, among others, sees the participation of the province and municipality of Viterbo, the Porters Association, ENIT, the diocese and the Carivit foundation.
“The extraordinary transport of 1984 was not the only one – explains Mecarini -. On July 9, 1983 we did another one to mark the 750th anniversary of the birth of Santa Rosa. Not only that, but between ’83 and ’84, between overtime, September 3rd and the pylon test, we made 6 transports. Also in 1984 we also thought of passing through via Marconi”.
From left: Massimo Mecarini and Sandro Pappalardo
“One of the most beautiful moments of the May 1984 transport – adds Mecarini – was when the Pope greeted us one by one. A moment that we all carry in our hearts.”
“Photos, manuscripts, clothing, unpublished archive materials”, comments Proietti, describing the contents of the exhibition. “Like Enit – continues Pappalardo – we have begun the story of this territory through some cornerstones. And the Santa Rosa car is the most significant event.”
Anna Proietti and Don Luigi Fabbri
“After 40 years – concludes Fabbri – an unforgettable day is proposed to the city again. A very intense day for the pope. That day John Paul II made 11 speeches, starting from the Santa Maria in Gradi prison. A day that is good to keep alive in memory. Images that arouse many emotions.”
Daniele Camilli
May 22, 2024
