• The six columns in the back are of Oriental alabaster. After the fire, Mohammed Ali, Khedive of Egypt, gave them to Gregory XVI in 1843. Because the columns are of such a soft stone, they cannot bear much weight and the architects gave them a largely decorative function. The gift is significant as it signals Egypt's desire to play a larger role in the international stage

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• The coat of arms held by angels is of Pope Pius IX. It was carved by Giosue Meli with angels by Ignazio Iacometti