LATIN LYRICS

O Roma felix - O Roma nobilis.
Sedes es Petri, qui Romae effudit sanguinem,
Petri, cui claves datae sunt regni caelorum.
Pontifex, Tu successor es Petri;
Pontifex, Tu magister es tuos confirmas fratres;
Pontifex, Tu qui Servus servorum Dei,
hominumque piscator, pastor es gregis,
ligans caelum et terram.
Pontifex, Tu Christi es vicarius super terram,
rupes inter fluctus, Tu es pharus in tenebris;
Tu pacis es vindex, Tu es unitatis custos,
vigil libertatis defensor; in Te potestas.
Tu Pontifex, firma es petra, et super petram hanc
aedificata est Ecclesia Dei.
O felix Roma - O Roma nobilis.

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ENGLISH TRANSLATION
 
O happy Rome - O noble Rome
You are the seat of Peter, whose blood was shed in Rome,
Peter, to whom the keys of the kingdom of heaven were given.
Pontiff, You are the successor of Peter;
Pontiff, You are the teacher, you confirm your brethren;
Pontiff, You who are the Servant of the servants of God,
and fisher of men, are the shepherd of the flock,
linking heaven and earth.
Pontiff, You are the vicar of Christ on earth,
a harbor amidst the waves, You are a beacon in the darkness;
You are the defender of peace, You are the guardian of unity,
watchful defender of liberty; in You is the authority.
You Pontiff, you are the unshakable rock, and on this rock
was built the Church of God.
O happy Rome - O noble Rome.

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Vatican City
"Inno e Marcia Pontificale" (Hymn and Pontifical March)

Words by:Raffaello Lavagna
Music by:Charles-François Gounod
Adopted:1950

The "Inno e Marcia Pontificale" is in two parts, as the name suggests, and is
performed in the presence of: the Pope; one of his special legates; or on
occassion of presentation of Credential Letters by a papal nuncio. The music by
noted composer Charles-François Gounod was written in 1857 for the jubille
anniversary of Pius IX. Originally, the anthem had Italian lyrics in addition
to the Latin ones, but nowadays only the Latin words (slightly modified in
1993) are sung.

See also: Vatican_City_(1929-1949).
