The inscription on the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, one of the most prominent structures associated with the Vatican. The inscription is in Latin and reads:
IN HONOREM PRINCIPIS APOST. PAULUS V BVRGHESIVS ROMANVS PONT. MAX. AN. MDCXII PONT. VII
Breakdown of the Inscription:
IN HONOREM PRINCIPIS APOST.: "In honor of the Prince of the Apostles" (referring to St. Peter, the first pope and apostle).
PAULUS V BVRGHESIVS ROMANVS PONT. MAX.: "Paul V Borghese, Roman, Supreme Pontiff" (indicating Pope Paul V, from the Borghese family, who was pope at the time).
AN. MDCXII: "Year 1612" (the year the façade was completed, in Roman numerals).
PONT. VII: "Pontificate Year 7" (the seventh year of Pope Paul V’s papacy).