Kofc - Fondazione Cavalieri di Colombo - Knights of Columbus

His Holiness Pope Benedict XV receives the delegation of the Knights of Columbus in 1920.

The fame of the Knights of Columbus through their "Everybody Welcome - Everything Free" clubs or centers and their athletic contests during World War I brought about their first presence in Italy and in the Vatican.
After World War I, on August 28, 1920, a delegation of 235 Knights of Columbus headed by Supreme Knight James Flaherty was received in Private Audience in the Consistory Hall by His Holiness Benedict XV the Holy Father welcomed the Knights with sentiments of "sweet comfort and good hope".

He praised them for their support of the Catholic University of America; their assistance to the Bishops; their charitable work during the war; and, finally, urged the Knights to expand their work to Rome.In response to the request made during the Audience, the Knights of Columbus decided to open playgrounds without charge for the benefit of the youth of Rome.After the Italian Welfare Fund was established in 1922, former Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearn came to Rome in late April to establish a Knights of Columbus Rome office at Via delle Muratte, 25. Besides serving as headquarters for the welfare activities, the office would offer reception facilities and guides for English-speaking pilgrims visiting Rome.Between 1922 and 1927, during Supreme Knight Flaherty’s term of office, the Knights of Columbus opened five athletic centers in Rome under the careful guidance of architect and engineer, later Count, Enrico Pietro Galeazzi, who also assisted in the complex legal negotiations for the purchase or lease and operations of the playgrounds.

Count Galeazzi designed each athletic center in harmony with the natural environment and the architectural style of the neighborhood within which it was located, giving each a unique character. Every facility had a clubhouse with shower, gymnastic facilities and soccer fields. Some had basketball, volleyball and tennis courts as well. Qualified Italian instructors led the children in their games. Senior citizens were also welcome to use the bocce courts.In 1922, Pope Benedict XV was succeeded by Pius XI, who "expressed enthusiastic approval of the proposed work".

He donated the original St. Peter’s Oratory site within the shadows of the Vatican. He said, "I can see for myself from my study window what progress they are making here in the heart of Rome." He also stated that the presence of the Knights of Columbus was "very fitting . . . for it is no less important than any other kind of relief work."In 1923, St. Peter’s Oratory, named by Pius XI himself, was the first facility to begin its activities.

It was constructed on an historical site, the center of the Circus of Nero and, therefore, the place where many early Christians suffered martyrdom for the faith. To make room for the new structure, some buildings dating back to the time of Pope Innocent VIII were demolished, among which was a foundry that had been in use for centuries. The coat of arms of Pope Innocent VIII, who was reigning when Christopher Columbus discovered America, was found and preserved. This relic was saved to be used later as an adornment. Also found there was the wooden model of the world-renowned statue of St. Peter venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica. The refurbished statue is displayed today in the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven.

Among the buildings saved was the Church of San Salvatore in Ossibus, dating back to the Middle Ages, 750 A.D. The church - an historical and artistic monument - was completely restored by the Knights of Columbus and used as the chapel for the boys’ wing.

Architect Enrico Pietro Galeazzi exposes the construction project to Mr. Edward L. Hearn and monsignors Borgongini-Duke and Caccia Dominioni.