The Jesus Hall

The Jesus Hall owes its name to the monogram of Christ : J.H.S., abbrevation of the Latin « Jesus, Hominum, Salvator », which decorates the walls.
This room is in the private apartments wing. It is the vestibule, because of its proximity to the main entrance of the Benedict XII’s palace.

After the Popes left, as of the XVth century, the legates and vice-legates refitted this part of the Palace. This hall was converted into a dining room. In the XVIIth century, it became the hall of the Swiss Guards and the antechamber of the apartments.
Its walls were then decorated with coats of arms and the names of each vice-legate.

It was here that the cardinals attended the Pope while he dressed in the Vestry. When the master of ceremonies gave the signal, they entered the Audience Hall of the Consistory, with the Pope closing the march.