The Cross of Cardinal Tedesco
The Making of Conclave
This traditional-style cross represents a Church bound to tradition.
Its geometric and linear form transforms, at the ends of the arms, into curved lines that recall the traditional shapes of Venetian art.
The cross is embellished with five stones, whose number and arrangement recall the domes of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, as well as the wounds of the crucified Jesus.
For this reason, the red color of agate was chosen to evoke the Passion.
On the back, we find an open book representing that of St. Mark the Evangelist, characterized by the winged lion that symbolizes him in tetramorph iconography.
According to an ancient tradition, an angel in the form of a winged lion greeted the Saint, shipwrecked in the Venetian lagoon, with the words
“PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEUS, HIC REQUIESCET CORPUS TUUM”
(Peace be with you, Mark, my evangelist, here your body shall rest), announcing to him that his body would find rest and veneration in Venice.
The piece was worn by the actor Sergio Castellitto.
