Saint John's Tower (Vatican City) Saint John's Tower (Vatican City) Saint John's Tower () is a round structure located on a hilltop in the westernmost tip of Vatican City, near Vatican Radio and overlooking the Vatican Gardens. The Medieval tower is located along an ancient wall built by Pope Nicholas III, but it fell into disuse at the beginning of the 16th century. It was rebuilt by Pope John XXIII in the early 1960s. In modern times, the Tower houses papal apartments used by popes when maintenance work is being done on the Apostolic Palace and also is reserved for illustrious guests of the Pontiffs.
Papal name began to adopt a new name upon their accession. This first started in the sixth century and became customary in the 10th century. Since 1555, every pope has taken a papal name. The pontificial name is given in Latin by virtue of the Pope's status as Bishop of the Holy See of Rome. The Pope is also given an Italian name by virtue of his Vatican citizenship. However, it's customary when referring to popes to translate the regnal name into all local languages. Thus, for example, Papa Franciscus (Latin, the official language of the Holy See), is Papa Francesco in