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The pope's column is a commemorative column in white marble erected in Nice in 1822 to mark the two passages of Pope Pius VII in the city, in 1809 and 1814. These visits, marked by triumphal welcome, were major events for the Nice population, which thus manifested its devotion to the sovereign pontiff. The column was erected in the very place where Pius VII was carried in triumph by the crowd, after the crowd had unsealed its car and pulled it to the cathedral.

The first passage of Pius VII took place from 7 to 9 August 1809, when he was in exile after his abduction by Napoleonic troops. Welcomed by a huge crowd, he stayed at the Prefecture and blessed the Niçois from his balcony, under illuminations and fireworks. His second passage, from February 9 to 11, 1814, took place in a context of liberation: liberated by Napoleon, he crossed France to reach Rome. In Nice, 150 priests and thousands of inhabitants welcomed him, pulling his own car to the church.

The decision to erect the column was taken in 1815, and the work was carried out in 1821-1822 under the authority of King Charles-Félix. The monument, located on Place de la Croix-de-Marbre, was inaugurated on September 4, 1823. He bears inscriptions in Latin on his four sides, referring to the Pope's two visits, as well as the coat of arms of his family, the Chiaramonti. The sommital cross, with two horizontal branches, recalls the cross of Lorraine. Ranked a historic monument in 1906, the column remains a symbol of religious fervour and Niçois history.

Latin inscriptions detail the circumstances of the two visits. The one of 1809 evokes the emotion of the crowd and the ceremonies in honour of the pope, while the one of 1814 describes his triumphal arrival, drawn by the people despite the resistance of the soldiers. A third inscription commemorates his blessing from the balcony of the Prefecture, and the last pays tribute to the Nice consuls who supervised the erection of the monument. These texts highlight the Niçois' attachment to Pius VII, who even gave them a portrait in thanks.

The column is distinguished by two peculiarities: the double cross, similar to the cross of Lorraine, and the family coat of arms of the pope (Chiaramonti) rather than pontifical. These elements reflect both the political context of the era — marked by tensions between the Church and Napoleon — and local piety. Today, the monument, owned by the commune, bears witness to this historical episode in which Nice, then under Sardinian influence, affirmed its fidelity to the Holy See.

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