Barberini family coat of arms (three bees) on a pedestal of the Baldachin (baldaquin) above the papal altar in Saint Peter's basilica.(Armoiries de la famille Barberini : trois abeilles; au pied du baldaquin) Each of the outer sides of the pedestals are decorated with Urban VIII's family coat of arms; the Barberini bees; created by Bernini and his assistants (1627-28). These shields also represent in the center the stages of a woman in childbirth. The woman was the niece of Urban VIII who was undergoing a difficult pregnancy. The pope then vows to dedicate an altar in St Peter's if the delivery is successful.The Barberini are a family of the Italian nobility that rose to prominence in 17th century Rome. Their influence peaked with the election of Cardinal Maffeo Barberini to the papal throne in 1623; as Pope Urban VIII.(Saint Peter's basilica; basilique Saint-Pierre; Petersdom)Vatican 2019