Church of the Gesù at Piazza Del Gesu in Rome, Italy - Encircle Photos

Church of the Gesù at Piazza Del Gesu in Rome, Italy

In 1539, Ignatius of Loyola co-founded the Society of Jesus. The Catholic order is commonly called the Jesuits. He spent the last 17 years of his life at this location. Touring his office is fascinating. Upon his death in 1556, he was interred in Maria della Strada Church. After the structure was replaced by the existing Church of the Gesù in 1580, his body was transferred to a bronze urn inside the marvelous St. Ignatius Chapel. The Jesuits were politically suppressed by many European countries and their New World colonies during the second half of the 18th century. Pope Clement XIV officially dissolved the order in 1773. In 1814, their previous status was restored by Pope Pius VII. Since then, Chiesa del Gesù has been the mother church of the Society of Jesus.

Church of the Gesù at Piazza Del Gesu in Rome, Italy

Piazza del Gesù, 54, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

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