Picture #0336 “Sunday Mass” shows the massive pillars supporting the dome and the statues in niches of (R) St. Helena, mother of Constantine, with a cross and (L) St. Veronica with a veil. Not shown in the picture on the remaining 2 pillars are St. Andrew and St. Longinus, with a spear.

 

The dome was inspired by the Roman temple, the Pantheon. A succession of popes and architects in the next 120 years, combined their efforts for the present building.

 

Around the inside of the dome is written, in Latin letters 6.5 ft. high:

         “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church…I will give you the keys of the   kingdom of heaven” Matthew 16:18-19

 

The Pantheon’s solid wall, was lightened in St. Peter's dome by piercing it with windows. He died in 1564, with the drum of the dome complete.

 

In the mid 18^th century, cracks appeared in the dome, so four iron chains were installed between the two shells to bind it. As many as ten chains have been installed at various times, the earliest possibly planned by Michelangelo himself as a precaution.