A advertisement for a French perfume brand appeared on the LED screens covering the façade and apse of Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
This prompted a group of residents and worshippers from the Monti district to send a protest letter to the Archpriest Rolandas Makrickas, criticising what they described as the “commercialisation” of the historic basilica.
The screens were installed during restoration works that began in late 2024. Back then, Vatican officials said the advertising revenue helps cover renovation costs ahead of the Jubilee.
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