Pontifical Anthem

The Pontifical Anthem was the national hymn of the Holy Empire of New Israel, written by Charles Gonoud in 1869. The Pontifical Anthem was written to serve as an official song for the Holy See, the seat of the Roman Pontiff. The song was immediately popular among the people of the Vatican City, but it was not formally adopted for the Vatican until the reign of Pope Pius XII in 1949.

The Pontifical Anthem in Latin was chosen as the anthem of the Holy Empire at the end of 2015. The choice to adopt the new anthem - replacing a popular Protestant hymn - was accompanied by the growth of Catholicism in the Holy Empire and an aggressive government religious policy reflecting the Counter-Reformation. This anthem was used until the Holy Empire's dissolution in August 2018.

Lyrics

The Pontifical Anthem was translated into Latin in 1991 by Msgr. Raffaello Lavagna. The Pontifical Anthem was written to be sung in Latin, and therefore the version in English is only for reference.

Lyrics (Latin)

   O felix Roma, O felix Roma nobilis.
   O felix Roma, Roma felix Roma nobilis.
   Sedes es Petri, qui Christi vicem gerit,
   Sedes es Petri, qui apostolus est pacis.

   Pontifex tecum erimus omnes nos
   Pontifex es magister qui tuos confirmas fratres.
   Pontifex tecum erimus omnes nos
   Pontifex es magister qui tuos confirmas fratres.
   Pontifex fundamentum ac robur nostrum,
   Hominumque piscator pastor es gregis ligans terram et coelum.

   Petre, tu es Christi es Vicarius super terram,
   Rupes inter fluctus, tu es pharus ac veritas.
   Tu Christi es caritas, tu es unitatis custos,
   Promptus libertatis defensor; in te auctoritas.

   Petre, tu es Christi es Vicarius super terram,
   Rupes inter fluctus, tu es pharus ac veritas.
   Tu Christi es caritas, tu es unitatis custos,
   Promptus libertatis defensor; in te auctoritas.

Lyrics (English)

   O happy Rome - O happy noble Rome
   O happy Rome - O happy Rome, noble Rome
   You are the seat of Peter, who shed his blood in Rome,
   Peter, to whom the keys of the kingdom of heaven were given.

   Pontiff, You are the successor of Peter;
   Pontiff, You are the teacher, you confirm your brethren;
   Pontiff, You who are the Servant of the servants of God,
   and fisher of men, are the shepherd of the flock, linking heaven and earth.

   Pontiff, You are the vicar of Christ on earth,
   a rock amidst the waves, You are a beacon in the darkness;
   You are the defender of peace, You are the guardian of unity,
   watchful defender of liberty; in You is the authority.

   Pontiff, You are the vicar of Christ on earth,
   a rock amidst the waves, You are a beacon in the darkness;
   You are the defender of peace, You are the guardian of unity,
   watchful defender of liberty; in You is the authority.