VATICAN PALACE - RAPHAEL ROOMS, Raphael Rooms - Eliodoro

You are now in the Room of Heliodorus, which is named after its first fresco.

Keep in mind that the pope held private meetings in this room, so it was important both politically and diplomatically, especially after the unfortunate military campaign that failed to drive the French out of Italy. This explains why the paintings exalt the political role of the pope, Church, and God's support against the aggressors. Julius II is also portrayed in two frescoes that recount ancient episodes, reiterating the bond between the past and the present.

Begin by looking at the fresco titled The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple : in a difficult moment for the papal army, the story of Heliodorus, who had stolen the temple's treasure and was punished by God via a priest's intervention, is proposed here as a reinterpretation of current affairs.

The fresco next to it called The Meeting of Leo the Great and Attila shows the barbarian invaders being stopped by the pope, while the holy patron saints of Rome, Peter and Paul, appear in the sky....