In the photo can be seen the altar that was placed here by order of Pope John Paul II after he altered this area soon after his election to the See of Peter. In fact, making alterations to the crypt was one of the first items on his agenda as a newly elected pope. Work began in 1979, the year after his election.
The altar faces the tomb area with the niche of the pallia, seen below. The tomb is in this marbled confessio built in the year 1615, located down below the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica. Behind the niche of the pallia is an ancient Byzantine mosaic of Christ.
The arch and window seen in the photo below were created in 1979 after the election of John Paul II. Before that time, there was a wall here and in the confessio was a large statue of Pope Pius IX kneeling in prayer (today the same statue is on display on the opposite end of the crypt). In addition, there was an altar here on the Grotto side (the elevated sanctuary step can still be seen).
This area was earlier altered in 1940 when an attempt was made to lower the floor. Excavations continued as the diggers located one ancient tomb after another. This area underneath the floor became known as the Vatican Necropolis.
Eventually, it was decided the tomb of St. Peter should be explored and opened. The ultimate prize was to open the loculus cavity that was built by the Emperor Constantine and to verify the bones of the Prince of the Apostles, Peter the Roman.
The excavations were done in two phases. The first was from 1940-1949. During that time the grave of St. Peter was confirmed, but not without some gaps. The second was from 1952-1965, during which the identification of the bones of St. Peter were scientifically confirmed. The project was declared complete in 1968.
Thus, the crypt area as it is seen today was completed during the reign of Pope John Paul II. To celebrate the occasion, a new square block altar with matching pulpit and celebrant's chair were installed and dedicated on August 6, 1999.
On the front side of the altar is a bas-relief of the aftermath of the crucifixion of St. Peter. On the rear side is a strange image of a beardless Christ, the Good Shepherd, with an engorged right hand raised in blessing. On one side panel can be seen the coat-of-arms of Pope Paul VI while on the other can be seen the coat-of-arms of Pope John Paul II.
The inscription in Latin reads: AD CENTESIMUM ANNUM RECOLENDUM POST NATUM PAULUM VI 1897 - 1997. This celebrates what would have been the 100th birthday of Pope Paul VI.
