[8] Before the temple was built, the land was a farm that the LDS Church acquired in 1997, which included the property of a villa, an olive plantation, and pizza broiler on the outside.

[9][10] In preparation for the construction, and as part of the permit process, all potential building sites in Rome must undergo a search for ancient Roman ruins by digging trenches every 10 to 15 feet apart across the entire property.

[11] Dignitaries at the groundbreaking included Vice Mayor of Rome, Giuseppe Ciardi, Italian senator Lucio Malan,[12] along with Monson, William R. Walker, and Erich W. Kopischke, each of whom were LDS Church general authorities.

[13] On March 29, 2018, the LDS Church announced that a public open house would be held from January 28 through February 16, 2019, excluding Sundays.

[5] The temple occupies part of a 15-acre (61,000 m2) LDS Church-owned site near the Grande Raccordo Anulare ring road skirting Cinquina in the northeast of Rome.

It is on the site's east, atop the piazza with stone steps and fountains that lead down to the visitors' center on the opposite end.

Another building on the north accommodates patrons who traveled long distances and the FHC which offers resources, facilities, equipment and services for doing genealogy work.

[19] The exterior has an angel Moroni statue and two attached end spires, each chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions.

Additionally, the baptistry is featured with elliptical font, inlaid stones and Roman-style acanthus leaves; original paintings can be found throughout the temple.

[23] The temple and its surrounding grounds provide a gathering place for some community events, including art exhibits, lecture series, and concerts.

These events highlight the church's desire to create a sense of community and promote mutual understanding among residents of diverse backgrounds.

The temple also engages in numerous outreach programs, including hosting members of Brigham Young University’s “Freedom and Respect Among Religions” project[24] These efforts underscore the church's commitment to serving the broader community and enhancing the well-being of its residents.

Insights into the faith and resilience of Italian church members is presented at the adjacent visitors' center, equipped with stained glass murals, paintings, marble statues of Jesus Christ and his apostles, and interactive exhibits.