Walking past the baldachin and the Altar of Confession is the altar where daily Mass is celebrated. The back wall of the sanctuary is a monument to the throne of St. Peter. The legend is that the chair belonged to St. Peter when he was preaching in Rome. Instead it is a throne from the ninth century but it does not take away the significance that this is the symbol of authority for all the popes who came after St. Peter. The monument is spectacular. Over the chair two angels support tiara and keys, more symbols of authority of the bishop of Rome (the pope). Gilded bronze statues of four early Church Fathers (St. Anthanasius, St. John Chrysotom, St. Ambrose, and St. Augustine are supporting the chair representing the concept that the Eastern and Western Church are united in the Catholic Church and give honor St. Peter’s Chair and also how the bishops are to give homage to the pope today. The Gloria in gilt stucco, where angels and putti (winged babies) look out from clouds, frame the window of the 6 foot high dove reprensenting the Holy Spirit.
