In the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, next to the confessio and the ciborium that contains the silver reliquaries from the XIX century (that according to the traditions has the heads of saints Peter and Paul), there is this bronze slab, often covered with coins. Here you are in front of the tomb of Pope Martin V, that originally was Oddone Colonna.

He became pope in 1417, after the Council of Constance (in Germany), which really marked the end of the Western Schism and the new reunification of the catholic curia. Martin V, after the election, used a long time to return to Rome. Only in 1420, in fact, he put foot in the Eternal City understanding what was the situation... Rome had something like 30,000 inhabitants and was the prey of robbers and murderers. The absence of security, worn roads full of mud, with churches, bridges, and civilian houses and public buildings that are almost ruins. This, according to the chronicles, was the Rome of the beginning of the XV century. However Martin V did not give up  and immediately began a process of renovatio urbis. Promoting a new maintenance road and a return to justice regarding to the robbers, renovating or reconstructing buildings (St Angel Castle, the bridges, the St. Peter Basilica, Tor di Nona Prison). Among the many renovations he was concerned more in the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. The central nave was frescoed by Gentile da Fabriano, a "stranger" since he was not from Rome. He came in the Eternal City brought by the pope. In spite of his noble birth, it seems that Martin V was a sober man, and for this reasin he expressed the desire to be buried in this basilica, where he held also the office of the dean.

Moreover he would like to get in touch with the earth, with a simple bronze plaque to remind him. His grandson, however, does not respect the last wishes of the Pope, and called upon the artists who worked with Donatello or maybe he called the master himslef), to make this monumental bronze slab. Let's see,the pontiff who seems to be sleeping peacefully, resting on his comfortable pillow. Pity that, apparently, sometimes even the opinions of the popes are respected...