The Number is 12

Back on track, I made it to today’s Station Church, the expansively named Dodici Apostoli.

 Photo actually from last night.

Cared for by the Franciscans since 1463, the church goes back 900 years prior to that, when Pope Pelagius I built a church to commemorate the expulsion of the Goths.  If not earlier: Pope Julius I 200 years prior in the 300’s may have already built a smaller church here, but no confirmation of that remains today.  Pelagius hadn’t quite finished his structure when his successor John III took up the work—the arrival of the bodies of the apostles Philip and James at that point gave the church its name and centrality, a character that was later expanded to include all 12 Apostles in the title.

Popes and Apostles: the church also played a role in future priests, who historically would come here on the day they were accepted for ordination by the public, to seek support from the original 12.  Good group to have rooting for you.