Artist: Bernini

Date: 1635-1638

 

• The statue is Longinus. According to the story, Longinus is the later name given to the solider who pierced Jesus with a lance (Jn 19:34) and the centurion who said "Truly, this man was the Son of God (Mk 15:39)

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• Each of the four piers are dedicated to an important relic that is housed in the balcony area above each statue. The statues are all 16 feet 6 inches high. The relic for this pier is the lance of Longinus. Sultan Bajazet II gave the lance to Pope Innocent VIII (1484-1492) in 1489. The Tomb of Innocent VIII in the left aisle also records the gift