Cardinals pass by the bronze door to attend a solemn Mass in St Peter's Square marking the third anniversary of John Paul II's death. April 2; 2008. The bronze door (Portone di Bronzo - Porte de bronze) main entrance to the Apostolic Palace is a storied portal that for centuries has informed the faithful of the death of a pope.Tradition is that officials over the centuries have closed the massive door under a portico off St. Peter's Square when a pope dies and have kept it shut until a new pontiff is elected. -The grandiose and solemn Apostolic Palace ( palais apostolique ) is a secretive place; forbidden to the public and jealously guarded by the Swiss Guard. It hosts the Holy See administration; the Church's spiritual authorities and before all; the apartments of the Pontiff Sovereign.