A view of the left side nave area of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy, featuring the Borghese Chapel. May 29, 2017

The Triton Fountain in the Piazza Barberini (1642), by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is a masterpiece of Baroque sculpture, representing Triton, half-man and half-fish, blowing his horn to calm the waters, following a text by the Roman poet Ovid in the Metamorphoses. May 29, 2017

Inside of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore’s Borghese Chapel in Rome, Italy, where a small mass is being held. May 29, 2017

A close-up of the ancient icon of the Madonna and child known as “Salus Populi Romani” (Salvation of the Roman people) inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore’s Borghese Chapel in Rome, Italy. It’s said to have been painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist. This icon, according to a centuries-old tradition, was carried in the procession from Santa Maria Maggiore to Saint Peter’s Basilica to end the plaque raging through the city. On that occasion, the Archangel Michael appeared atop Hadrian’s Mausoleum re-sheathing his sword as a sign that the plague would end. From that moment, the mausoleum was renamed Castel Sant’Angelo. May 29, 2017

The ancient mosaic façade of the upper loggia, which can only be seen through a special guided tour, are the 13th century mosaics that illustrate the origin of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy. The scenes trace the dreams that inspired the basilica and its location. The angels, which originally were placed on the top of the baldacchino over the main altar, were removed and placed here on the logia. May 29, 2017

A close-up of the 13th century mosaics on the facade of the upper loggia of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy. May 29, 2017

The apartment inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy, of Pope Paul V Borghese born Camillo Borghese and who was Pope from 1605 until his death in 1621. May 29, 2017

A wood closet in the apartment of Pope Paul V Borghese inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy. May 29, 2017

Ancient writings in the apartment of Pope Paul V Borghese inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy. May 29, 2017

The spiral staircase designed by sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the private section or the apartments for the priests at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rom, Italy. May 29, 2017

The interior of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy, with its 5th century mosaic panels above the columns along the sides; its 13th century mosaic floors from the central nave and its 15th century lacunae ceiling gilded with the first gold brought from America. May 29, 2017

A close-up of the baldacchino, at the papal altar, of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy. May 29, 2017