Ask AI: Why does the Paul VI Audience Hall (in Rome/ Vatican City) look like a serpent? And what does this say about the intentions of the Catholic Church?

The Paul VI Audience Hall, named after Pope Paul VI, was designed in a unique, modernist style by the Italian architect Pier Luigi Nervi. It has been noted by some individuals that its design, when viewed from certain angles, appears similar to the shape of a serpent. This interpretation is often due to a combination of factors, most notably the building's scale-like roof structure, the undulating side walls that resemble a serpent's body, and the oddly shaped sculpture behind the pope’s seat that can give the impression of a serpent's head when viewed from a certain perspective. The intentions of this architectural design are not officially documented to have any connection to a serpent but more so to Nervi's architectural style that often embraced bold and dramatic forms, wanting to push the boundaries of concrete construction technology. Moreover, the interpretations of architecture can be subjective, varying greatly between individuals based on their perspectives and ideas. As per the Catholic Church, it represents one of the oldest, largest, and most influential Christian institutions in the world. Its core beliefs and values are anchored in the teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the New Testament. The common interpretation of the serpent in Christian symbolism is associated with the devil and sin, such as the serpent that tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. However, in some Christian cultures, the serpent can simultaneously symbolise the ability to renew (shed its skin) and heal. The Catholic Church has not officially acknowledged any serpent symbolism in the design of the Paul VI Audience Hall. Therefore, the interpretations of the building's design as a serpent do not necessarily reflect the intentions of the Catholic Church, and drawing conclusions solely based on the building's design might lead to unsubstantiated speculations. As an institution, its intentions are more accurately assessed through its doctrines, teachings, decisions, and actions over the centuries.