XENODOCHIVM BEATAE MARIAE DE ANIMA
PAVPERVM PEREGRINORVM GERMANORVM
SVSTENTATIONI EXTRVCTV
Magnificent to see the arms of a reigning German Pontiff here above the entrance of the old German pilgrim hospice in Rome. In 1806 was the extinction of the Holy Roman Empire, the heir and representative of the Caesars and thus the old double-headed eagle from the golden days before the fall.
The double-eagle on the door is the arms of the "Anima". It functions as a supporter for Our Lady, bearing the Infant Jesus on Her arm. On either side of Her, a kneeling figure symbolizes the souls (animae) in purgatory, the title which the church was given in the Middle Ages. - It is called the German college, but that means German as in the "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation", including Swiss, Austrians, Czechs (Bohemia!). I am not sure whether the Belgians and the Dutch are still affiliated with the College.
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