The Tapestry and fine fabrics Restoration Labs at the Vatican. Sister Maria Smolen from Poland restores an antependium (18th century); a decorative piece used to adorn a Christian altar. The tapestry conservation laboratory uses a conservative method of caring for the organic and inorganic materials that enter through the Vatican. The team of experts have catalogued; disinfected; documented and conserved over one thousand works that were in a weak state of preservation due to age. - The Vatican is the planet's smallest State. Some 2;000 employees cross over the Santa Anna gate each morning at around 7 am; the gateway guarded both by the Swiss Guards and the vigilenzia (Vatican police force). Not all of them work at the Vatican by vocation; but many admit that a deep personal connection to the Pope has motivated their choice of work. Vatican; 2015.