The apse mosaic, pictured below, is full of interesting detail: for instance, the cross above the hill of paradise has four rivers of life flowing from it. The saints alongside the cross are Our Lady (with the donor Pope kneeling at her feet), with Saints Francis, Peter and Paul, and on the other side Saints John the Baptist, Antony, John the Evangelist, and Andrew. Our Lady’s hand rests tenderly upon the Pope’s mitre.

This church is the official ecclesiastical ‘seat’ of the successor of Peter, and is the earliest Christian basilica.

May prayers offered here be answered in abundance, and may God bless you this day.