Christus Vincit

Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini kisses the ring of Pope Benedict this morning as the Holy Father prepares to visit the Italian President.

In the background is the foot of the obelisk in St. Peter's Square with the inscription:

ECCE CRVX DOMINI
FVGITE
PARTES ADVERSAE
VICIT LEO
DE TRIBV IVDA

Behold! The Cross of the Lord!
Flee,
ye adversaries!
He has conquered - he the Lion
of the Tribe of Judah.

(Humble hat tip to Bill Cork for his correcting my previous, inaccurate identification of the object in the background. Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?)