Lending Institutions -- Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, The Vatican Museums and The Swiss Guard  

The Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff – the duty of the Office is to prepare all that is necessary for liturgical celebrations or any other sacred celebrations either presided by the pope, or at which he participates or assists, or which are presided in his name by a Cardinal or Prelate. One important task of the Office is the planning, publication and distribution of special prayer-booklets for each liturgy, an asset that guarantees worthy and active participation of those present.

The Vatican Museums – one of the most famous and renowned cultural institutions of the Holy See. They are known everywhere because of the masterpieces which the Roman Pontiffs have commissioned, collected and preserved during the ages. Together with the immense heritage of movable works of art, sculptures and paintings, which are displayed in the galleries, the precincts of the Vatican Museums include the most important and artistically significant rooms of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, such as the “Cappella Niccolina” with paintings by Beato Angelico, the “Appartamento Borgia” with decorations by Pinturicchio, the “Stanze” painted by Raphael and, of course, the Sistine Chapel with frescoes by Michelangelo, as well as the most important 15th century masters from Umbria and Tuscany.

The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples – formerly known as the Congregation of Propaganda Fide, it is the Vatican office that, since 1622, has had the responsibility of encouraging missionary activity throughout the world. Its archives are among the most important in the world, and the documents conserved there are fundamental to the understanding of the histories of people from all over the world.

Apostolic Floreria – the office in charge of decorations for papal liturgies.

The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter – the organization responsible for the upkeep of the Basilica.

The Papal Swiss Guard – the Papal Swiss Guard was founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II. Currently numbering about 110, it helps protect the pope, guards the entrances to Vatican City and the Apostolic Palace, where the pope lives, and performs honor guard duties at Vatican ceremonies. The guard is noted for its colorful vestments: yellow-and-blue striped uniforms and helmets with red, purple or white plumes.