The massive dome sits on a "drum" resting on four pillars anchoring the structure. Michelangelo envisioned the dome and two transepts to be a human figure, Peter, sitting over his tomb welcoming all the pilgrims into his embrace.
The architect Bernini continued this metaphor in structuring the piazza in front of the basilica to have colonnades beings the "arms" of the dome(head) and two transepts(shoulders). Originally he wanted to have an enclosed set of colonnades creating more if a circle. It was human genius that prevented the third colonnade from being constructed, which meant it would always be OPEN. The arms of Peter and the church bring people inside only to be sent back out into the world strengthened by faith. The arms of the church must welcome ALL and compel everyone who enters this "embrace" to leave. Catholicism is a missionary religion.
The piazza holds 175,000 people!!!!
Inside the basilica one's gaze is upward... toward heaven. If you look at the photo you can see the top or ceiling in gold and white symbolizing heaven; a thick cement border separating heaven from earth. The words etched in six foot letters stating the foundation of the gospel, that Christ is the Son of the living God; below the gospel letters are statues of the saints; above each column is a statue depicting a person represent the virtues.
We reach into heaven by following the gospel, practicing the virtues and following the witness of the saints. If you notice, the bottom statue is st Teresa of Avila , then another saint(I don't know who he or she is) then the stature of virtue then the gospel verse , then the border and finally...Heaven!!
We reach heaven through the gospel , virtuous living, following the way of the saints. Our catholic life is a pilgrim journey of gospel, sacraments, saints, disciplined living. All this is spoken through architecture giving God the glory. Buen camino. Padre
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