CHAPTER IV

MEMORIES OF THE PANTHEON

The Pantheon—Hadrian’s best monument—Long idle—Consecrated as St. Mary of the Martyrs—The Cathedral, the symbol of the soul—Its purification—Continuity of the Church—A priest’s visit—The alabaster square—Procession of the martyr’s relics—Giovanni Borgi, the workman—Italian Guilds—Giovanni’s selflessness—His rescue of the forsaken children—Care of them—Crusade in behalf of all the waifs of Rome—His work of love—Giovanni’s successor, later Pius IX pp. 55-72