St Paul's-Outside-the-Walls is one of the two stational churches for the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. In the 4th century, Constantine built the first church, according to the Liber Pontificalis.
As might be expected from its more than a millennium-and-a-half history, the church has been nearly destroyed by fire and earthquakes, restored, rebuilt and renovated many times.
The last great destruction was in 1823, another fire.
The then reigning pope, Pius VII, had made his religious profession as a Benedictine in the adjoining monastery, and took a great interest in the renovation work proceeding when the fire broke out on the night of July 15, 1823, nearly completely destroying the basilica. Pius VII was very ill at the time, and died August 20 next. It is said that no one told him what had happened.
Only the Holy Father and those with special permission may say Mass at the high altar.
old St Paul's-Outside-the-Walls, mid-18th century
After Ignatius Loyola was elected Superior General of the Company, he and his companions took the fourth solemn vow, that of obedience to the Pope, at St Paul's-Outside-the-Walls.
In 1814, Pius VII had restored the Society of Jesus, suppressed by Pope Clement XIV in 1773.
Taking the fourth solemn vow
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