Rome Italy Temple

visiting the community of Rome (2013) At first, only a small parcel of land was available for construction of a temple, but the entire 15 acres of the land later became available for its construction and the associated building. Before the temple was built, the land was a farm that the church acquired in 1997, which included the property of a villa, an olive plantation, and pizza broiler on the outside. This was a place church members used to gather and host activities from time to time; church missionaries also resided there for a period of time. In preparation for the construction, and as part of the permit process, all potential building sites in Rome must undergo a search for ancient Roman ruins by digging trenches every 10 to 15 feet apart across the entire property. Following the search for ruins on the temple property, it was announced that none were found, and construction would be permitted. Only invited guests attended the groundbreaking, but the ceremony was rebroadcast to Latter-day Saint meetinghouses in Italy the following day. Dignitaries at the groundbreaking included Vice Mayor of Rome, Giuseppe Ciardi, Italian senator Lucio Malan, along with Monson, William R. Walker, and Erich W. Kopischke, each of whom were general authorities. On March 29, 2018, the church announced that a public open house would be held from January 28 through February 16, 2019, excluding Sundays. All 15 of the church's apostles attended the temple's dedication. It is believed to be the first time the entire First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were in the same location outside the United States. In 2020, like all the church's others, the Rome Italy Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. == Design and architecture ==

Neils Valentiner, the architect of the Rome Italy Temple, said its design is inspired by San Carlino Roman Catholic church in Rome, with a curved design on both the building's exterior and interior. The surfaces throughout the temple, including the floors, walls and countertops are made of Perlato Svevo marbles, which were quarried in Italy. Other stones from Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Brazil were added to them. Site The temple occupies part of a site owned by the church near the Grande Raccordo Anulare ring road skirting Cinquina in the northeast of Rome. This site is located in Rome's Municipio III (formerly IV), along the via di Settebagni. Exterior The temple is three stories tall, constructed with Bianco Sardo granite. The exterior has an angel Moroni statue and two attached end spires. The temple includes two ordinance rooms, three sealing rooms, and a baptistry. Behind the art-work on the other side is a copy of Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus statue, as well as copies of his twelve apostle statues found in the Lutheran Cathedral Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, facing the temple in a rotunda, with an Italian landscape as background. Other features in the visitors' center include separate rooms and quiet places for reflection or discussions by missionaries with those interested in the church, and a small theater that plays the “Storms of Life” videos - recordings of how individuals confront and manage real life challenges. Additionally, a large model of the temple is on display to show the rooms, settings, and inside features. A map showing locations of meetinghouses all across the country can be found upstairs with the FHC. File:LDS Rome Temple 2.jpg|Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus File:LDS Rome Temple 4.jpg|Bertel Thorvaldsen's Twelve Apostles File:LDS Rome Temple Stained Glass.jpg|Tom Holdman's stained glass == Cultural and community impact ==

The temple and its surrounding grounds provide a gathering place for some community events, including art exhibits, lecture series, and concerts. These events highlight the church's desire to create a sense of community and promote mutual understanding among residents of diverse backgrounds. The area also hosts outreach programs, including members of Brigham Young University’s “Freedom and Respect Among Religions” project. These efforts underscore the church's commitment to serving the broader community and enhancing the well-being of its residents. The Rome Italy Temple also plays a role in educating and spiritually uplifting those who visit. Insights into the faith and resilience of Italian church members is presented at the adjacent visitors' center, equipped with stained glass murals, paintings, marble statues of Jesus Christ and his apostles, and interactive exhibits. == Temple presidents ==

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff. Serving from 2019 to 2022, Craig N. Pacini was the first president, with Julie A. Pacini serving as matron. == Admittance ==

On January 14, 2019, the church announced the public open house that was held from January 28 to February 16, 2019 (excluding Sundays). Following the open house, the temple was dedicated during seven sessions from March 10–12, 2019, by Russell M. Nelson. The visitors’ center is available to the public. ==See also==