Swiss guards stand watch at the bronze door (Portone di Bronzo - Porte de bronze) main entrance to the Apostolic Palace and the papal apartments at the Vatican. (Garde Suisse; Schweizergardist ).The Bronze Door 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. 18 fev. 2012 Rome Vatican.