Lima's Cathedral —Catholic symbol of Peru's capital city— will open its doors on January 21 to receive the illustrious visit of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis, who will meet the clergy while in there.
A gorgeous late 18th-century style major altar, which comprises Greco-Roman culture elements and was conceived by architect-priest Matias Maestro, will welcome the Supreme Pontiff at the Cathedral Basilica.
Known as the presbytery, the place is framed by a series of choir stalls deemed as jewels of the early 17th-century Hispanic-American art, in the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque period, explained Fernando Lopez, head of Archbishop Museums.
"The first traces of this artistic moment are found in the capital. Elements of this style were taken to other convents. We are talking about cedar seats with apostles, saints and doctors' reliefs," he said.
Relics of Peruvian saints will be placed aside the presbytery so that
Pope Francis can venerate them.
"This will be a very intimate and private moment for the Holy Father," the expert commented.
Relics of Saint Martin de Porres,
Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, and Saint John Macias will be brought from Santo Domingo Convent.
Those of Saint Francis Solanus —enshrined at the Archbishop's Museum— will be on display, too.
Due to his tight schedule, the Pope will stay there for a short period of time.
Some 2,000 people including priests, nuns, and committed lay people will join him at the Basilica.
Meeting with bishops
Following this meeting, Francis will use the elevator to get into the Archbishop's Palace Chapel.
Once there, the Supreme Pontiff will hold a private audience with Peruvian bishops.
At its major altar, the Archbishop's Palace Chapel contains a beautiful Baroque style retablo of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, brought —according to Lopez— from Saint Clara Monastery after its demolition in the second half of the 18th century.
After that, the Pope will enter the Throne Hall, which opens directly into the balcony he will use to address the crowd in Lima and to recite the Angelus prayer at noon.
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