during the recent visit of the Pope to Mexico we heard "papal anthem or hymn" executed by a band. is it Vatican City anthem or papal anthem? Does it have words or lyrics? if so where can I find them?

thank you

-- ENRIQUE ORTIZ (eaortiz@yahoo.com), February 13, 1999

Answers

Vatican National Anthem:

Inno e Marcia Pontificale (Hymn and Pontifical March)

[Italiano]

Roma immortale di Martirie di Santi,
Roma immortale accogli i nostri canti:
Gloria nei cieli a Dio nostro Signore,
Pace ai Fedeli, di Cristo nell'amore.
A Te veniamo, Angelico Pastore,
In Te vediamo il mite Redentore,
Erede Santo di vera e santa Fede;
Conforto e vanto a chi combate e crede,
Non prevarranno la forza ed il terrore,
Ma regneranno la Verità, l'Amore.

Salve Salve Roma, patria eterna di memorie,
Cantano le tue glorie mille palme e mille altari.
Roma degli apostoli
Madre e guida dei Redenti,
Roma luce delle genti, il mondo spera in te!
Salve Salve Roma, la tua luce non tramonta,
Vince l'odio e l'onta lo splendor di tua beltà.
Roma degli Apostoli
Madree guida dei Redenti,
Roma luce delle genti, il mondo spera in te!

English Translation

O Rome immortal, city of martyrs and saints,
O immortal Rome, accept our praises.
Glory in the heavens to God our Lord
And peace to men who love Christ!
To you we come, angelic Pastor,
In you we see the gentle Redeemer.
You are the holy heir of our Faith,
You are the comfort and the refuge of those who believe and fight.
Force and terror will not prevail,
But truth and love will reign.

Hail, O Rome,
Eternal abode of memories;
A thousand palms and a thousand altars
Sing your praises.
O city of the Apostles,
Mother and guide of the elect,
Light of the nations,
And hope of the world!
Hail, O Rome!
Your light will never fade;
The splendor of your beauty
Disperses hatred and shame.
O city of the Apostles,
Mother and guide of the elect,
Light of the nations,
And hope of the world!

{Believe it or not, this is from the White House web site.}

-- (@@@.@), December 31, 2001.