Rain of rose petals at the Pantheon - 2024

On the occasion of Pentecost – fifty days after Easter – and to celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Virgin Mary and the Apostles in the Christian religion, once again this year, on 19 May, returns the evocative shower of rose petals at the Pantheon - Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres.

As usual, right after the Chapter Mass at 10.30 a.m. – presided over by the Rector Archpriest Canon, Monsignor Daniele Micheletti and animated by the Basilica Choir and the Romerike Vocal Ensemble from Eidsvol, Norway – around 12 noon, the Fire Brigade will drop thousands of red rose petals from the Oculus, the circular opening with a diameter of 9 metres above the dome of the Pantheon.

The petals, which end up colouring the entire paving stone of the Basilica with a deep red colour, will, as always, create a unique and emotional spectacle for its beauty charged with symbolism.

The ceremony, some two thousand years old, derives from the celebrations of the early Christians in Rome, according to whom roses represented the Holy Spirit, and symbolises the blood shed by Christ for the redemption of humanity.

The poetic rainfall of petals from the Oculus, 'the eye of heaven', of the splendid monument, as well as sealing one of the most important Catholic anniversaries, since 1995, the year in which it was restored, has once again become an event rich in evocative charm and spiritual significance dear to both Romans and pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.

Given the large number of participants in the commemoration, which ends with the falling of red rose petals from the oculus of the dome, the faithful will have to reach the Basilica at 9.00 a.m. Entry will be permitted up to the maximum capacity allowed; priests who wish to concelebrate will be in the Basilica no later than 9.30 a.m.