PAGAN SUN WORSHIP AND CATHOLICISM LA VERITA - THE TRUTH In the
Vatican's St. Peter's basilica in Rome, there is a rather
remarkable sculpture that probably goes mostly unnoticed by
those who visit there. It is a part of a sculpture group by Gian
Lorenzo Bernini decorating the tomb of Pope Alexander VII. At
the four corners surrounding the kneeling Pope, are the four
virtues, Charity, Prudence, Justice and Truth. Charity is on the
front left side and "La Verita", which means "The Truth" is on
the right front side of the overview below. Above scene from the
video "Israel of the Alps" Copyright © 1993 LLT Productions -
Used by Permission |The first thing you might notice is that
"Truth" stands with her foot on a globe of the earth,
symbolizing her power over the globe. Then looking closer you
will see that she clutches in her arms the sun, probably
symbolizing Truth's love for the light rather than darkness, and
that the Truth will be revealed in time, by the light of day.|
|Photo by Scala/Art Resource, New York