First look: Elder Bednar, Elder Rasband tour the Rome Italy Temple with journalists and political dignitaries

14 Jan 2019, 1:53 p.m. MST

The Rome Italy Temple is reflected in the window of the Rome Temple Visitor's Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News

By Aubrey Eyre

The doors to the Rome Italy Temple were opened on Monday, Jan. 14, to welcome the first wave of visitors and media from around the world. Monday marked the beginning of the public phase of the temple which will be open for nearly four weeks of open-house tours from Jan. 28 through Feb. 16, excluding Sundays.

"I've seen it under construction for two years now, but walking through it today was extraordinary, a very special experience," said Marcello De Vito, president of the Rome City Council in a Deseret News article detailing the event. "It will certainly improve the architecture of our city."

Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Ronald A. Rasband, were on site in Rome to lead journalists and political leaders like De Vito through the temple for the first time.

The Rome Italy Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call

Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Rome Italy Temple is seen through the window of the Rome Temple Visitor's Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. In the foreground is a statue of Christ. | Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News

The Rome Italy Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured after sunset on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Susan guide a tour of local city officials and dignitaries during the Rome Italy Temple open house on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. At right is President Marcello De Vito, president of the Rome City Council. | Credit: Ravell Call

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leads a tour during the Rome Italy Temple open house on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. Third from left is President President Marcello De Vito, president of the Rome City Council. Second from left is President Giovanni Caudo, president of the Third Municipality of Rome. | Credit: Ravell Call

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, right, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks following an invitation by Elder David A. Bednar at a press briefing in a meetinghouse on the Rome Italy Temple grounds on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife Susan walk from the Rome Italy Temple to the Rome Temple Visitor's Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. Rome City officials and other dignitaries follow behind. | Credit: Ravell Call

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leads a tour during the open house for the Rome Italy Temple on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints talks with Bryant Van Tassell after receiving shoe covers from him during the open house for the Rome Italy Temple on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints receives shoe covers from Rachele Cavallaro before entering the open house for the Rome Italy Temple on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints greets President Marcello De Vito, president of the Rome City Council in a meeting house on the Rome Italy Temple grounds on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. At right is Sister Susan Bednar. | Credit: Ravell Call

Noting the vast Church membership of 16 million worldwide, Elder Bednar told journalists that is it only a matter of time before The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has temples in almost every major city around the world. But he also noted that having a temple in Rome holds special significance for the Church.

Photos showing the exterior and interior of the new temple were posted Monday, Jan. 14, on the Church's websites. View the photos and learn more details about the temple open house here.

The interior of the Rome Italy Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The temple was announced in 2008 and has been under construction since 2010. The 40,000-square-foot temple stands three-stories tall and is surrounded by a 15-acre piazza with other buildings including a vistors' center displaying copies of the Christus statue and statues of the 12 original Apostles by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.