The baptismal font consists of a porphyry basin, measuring four by two meters, which dates from the Roman imperial age. The gilt bronze cover, …
Four expressive Baroque statues dating from 1629-40 stand at the base of the piers supporting the dome: St. Longinus by Bernini (above), and below: …
In the Chapel of the Sacrament, the ciborium in gilt bronze with the angels are late works by Bernini (1673-74). It clearly shows the …
In the tomb of Alexander VII, Bernini probably intended the pope’s gesture to symbolize his devoted asceticism. The artist was nearly eighty years old …
The tomb of Urban VIII by Gianlorenzo Bernini. Pope Barberini commissioned this splendid portrait, in which the sculptor is clearly exalting the role of …
In the exercise of his duties, the pope is assisted by the bishops (more than 4000). As the successors of the Apostles, they are …
The Synod of Bishops (an “assembly” of bishops) was instituted by Pope Paul VI on September 25, 1965 to ensure a more unified and …
The Sacred College of Cardinals was instituted in 1150, but from the earliest times, a group of prelates of the Roman clergy has always …
St. Peter’s Cathedra was the imperial throne of Charles the Bald which he presented to Pope John VIII in 875, the year he was …
The Triple Crown is the papal tiara comprising the three crowns which symbolize the pope’s threefold power as Father of Kings, Rector of the …
The bronze statue of St. Peter is traditionally attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio. In recent years some scholars have suggested that it is the …
Cathedra of St. Peter in Glory. This enormous reliquary, designed and built by Bernini in 1658-66, surrounds the throne that tradition attributed to Peter. …