Accoglienza, prsentazione, inclusione. Cerimonie e riti per l'arrivo di Cristina di Svezia a Roma.

Abstract

The reception of Christina of Sweden raised unusual status and gender issues as far as the papal ceremonial is concerned. Welcomed not as a queen in exile but as a queen in possession of full Sovereignity, Christina was given hospitality by an exclusively male court within the apostolic palaces. The ceremonies performed in her honour became an extraordinary media event. They emphasized the absolute centrality of the queen’s conversion and were planned to achieve a perfect liturgical coincidence with the rites for Christmas. They highlighted two im- portant moments: the Presentation with the solemn entrance into the city; the Inclusion with the ceremony of Confirmation during Christmas mass. Only after this ritual, the queen could leave the Vatican and move to Palazzo Farnese.