Chair of Saint Peter, Bronze and gold sculpture in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

The Chair of Saint Peter is a sculpture in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, where a wooden throne sits encased within an elaborate bronze and gold structure. This monumental composition from the 17th century rises above the main altar and brings together wood, metal and glass in a single baroque ensemble.

The wooden throne was given to Pope John VIII by Emperor Charles the Bald in 875; study between 1968 and 1974 found its oldest parts date from the 6th century. Gian Lorenzo Bernini designed the gilt bronze casing, built between 1647 and 1653. In 2024 the relic was shown publicly for the first time since 1867.

Four bronze figures of Church Fathers hold up the throne while light streams through a glass window showing the dove of the Holy Spirit. The name points to the first Bishop of Rome, whose office continues for Catholic believers up to the present day.

The sculpture sits in the apse behind the main altar, so you can see it from the nave as you walk through the basilica. For a closer look, move toward the rear part of the church where the lighting brings out details of the work.

The throne was shown publicly from 27 October 2024, after the closing Mass of the Synod on Synodality, and stood centred before the baldachin; by 28 October it had been moved to the right front pillar. It was returned to its reliquary on 26 November 2024, earlier than the planned 8 December.