Cross of Hope designed by Stefano Lazzari for the Jubilee 2025

The Cross of Hope, created by Stefano Lazzari for the Jubilee 2025, combines medieval tradition and innovation, symbolising the journey of faith. Made of brass with an antique gold finish, it represents excellence in Italian craftsmanship.

Among the many initiatives linked to the celebrations for the Jubilee 2025, marked by the motto “Pilgrims of Hope,” there is also a precious crucifix, a true work of sacred art created specifically for this significant event. This is the Cross of Hope, designed and crafted by the Umbrian master artisan Stefano Lazzari of Bottega Tifernate, and it is available exclusively online in the Holyart store. This double-sided crucifix, which embodies the fascination of medieval tradition and technical innovation—a combination that has always distinguished Bottega Tifernate—captures the essence of the spiritual pilgrimage, which is the central theme of this Holy Year, through a visual language rich in symbolism.

Bottega Tifernate, founded in 1995 by Stefano Lazzari together with his sister Francesca and his father Romolo, is a global leader in the reproduction of sacred artworks. With a team of young artists specialised in techniques ranging from chiselling to carving, the workshop has built a strong reputation, excelling in the ability to recreate artworks identical to the originals. Today, it boasts many prestigious commissions, including the reproduction of a Caravaggio in 2018 and Marc Chagall’s White Crucifixion in 2019, both for Pope Francis. The Cross of Hope follows this tradition of medieval inspiration and contemporary renewal, promoted by the Lazzari family, which has quickly become an internationally recognised Italian excellence.

The uniqueness of the Cross of Hope lies in its dual nature: to commemorate Christ’s supreme sacrifice and to affirm the importance of the journey of faith undertaken by every pilgrim preparing to experience the Holy Year. The double-sided cross was conceived with the layout of St Peter’s Basilica and Square in mind. The front depicts a Renaissance-style Christ, dead yet portrayed with a serene and conscious expression, already evoking His resurrection and thus differing from traditional representations of suffering. This artistic choice is deliberate, aiming to convey a message of hope and redemption. The carefully sculpted Mount Golgotha at the foot of the cross recalls His supreme sacrifice of love for humanity.

Turning the cross reveals an equally powerful image: a pilgrim arriving at St Peter’s Square, symbolising the spiritual journey that every believer is called to undertake. This representation transforms the cross into a tangible metaphor for the path of faith, linking the past of tradition to the present of the Jubilee pilgrimage, echoing the motto of Jubilee 2025, “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The excellence of Italian craftsmanship is evident in every stage of its creation. Bottega Tifernate brought together two masters of Italian art: sculptor Fausto Schirato, whose expert hands shaped every detail in the original plaster, and founder Marino Vigolo, who brought the work to life using the ancient technique of lost-wax casting. Lost-wax casting is an ancient metal-forming technique that enables the creation of objects with exceptionally fine details. The process involves crafting a wax model, which is then coated with a refractory ceramic shell. Once heated, the wax melts away, leaving a hollow space into which molten metal is poured. After cooling, the ceramic shell is broken to extract the piece, which is then refined. Used since antiquity for sculptures and ritual objects, this technique is now also applied in advanced fields such as aerospace, biomedical engineering, and jewellery-making, integrating modern technologies like 3D printing and artificial intelligence. The production process exemplifies how traditional craftsmanship can merge with contemporary precision. From the creation of the rubber mould to the brass casting, each phase is meticulously controlled. Manual finishing, burnishing, and patination enhance the play of light and shadow, accentuating the three-dimensionality of the piece and ensuring its uniqueness.

The pectoral version of the Cross of Hope is 10 centimetres high and is accompanied by a refined brass necklace, whose design echoes the layout of St Peter’s Basilica. Available in two lengths, 80 or 90 centimetres, the foxtail chain completes the piece with elegance and symbolic significance. Attention to detail extends to the presentation as well: each cross is delivered in an elegant red box, numbered and certified. The inclusion of a QR code provides access to a wealth of additional information, bridging traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Several versions of the same cross have been created: in addition to the pectoral version, a larger one has been made for display as an ornamental piece or wall decoration, as well as one for liturgical celebrations on the altar.

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Pectoral Cross of Hope Bottega Tifernate Jubilee 2025

Pectoral cross handcrafted in Italy and paired with a brass “fox tail” chain.

Within the context of Jubilee 2025, the Cross of Hope takes on a profound meaning. It is not just an ornament but a silent witness of faith, a companion for pilgrims preparing to experience this extraordinary moment.