Sant'Antonio da Padova in Via Merulana


The Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua al Laterano is a Roman Catholic titular church in Rome on Via Merulana, one block from the Obelisk of St. John Lateran. It was built for the Order of Friars Minor, who needed a new home after they were moved from Santa Maria in Aracoelito allow the construction of the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.
The church was consecrated on December 4, 1887 and was elevated to minor basilica status in 1931.
On the 12 March 1960 Pope John XXIII granted it a titular church as a seat for Cardinals.
The present Cardinal Priest of the Titulus San Antonii Patavini de Urbe is Cláudio Hummes.

Architecture

Two staircases provide access to the gantry of the church, where a statue of Saint Anthony of Padua stands holding the Christ Child. Inside, the church is constructed of three naves, divided by two columns of pillars made of pink marble. The general decoration of the church was done by Friar Bonaventura Loffredo da Alghero in 1889-1890. The fresco of the apotheosis of the Franciscan family in the apse area of the sanctuary was done by Friar Loffredo.
The paintings of the side altars were done by various artists, mainly Franciscan.
St. Clare of Assisi by Giuseppe Bravi
St. Francis of Assisi by Franz De Rhoden
The OFM and FMM Japonese Martyrs by Cesare Mariani
Immaculate Mary by Francesco Szoldatiez
St. Ludovico di Tolosa by Eugenia Pignet
Other paintings were done by the friars Giuseppe Maria Rossi, Caio D' Andrea and Michelangelo Cianti

List of Cardinal Priests