Why is there a giant statue of a pine cone at the Vatican?

[Gale]

I know that it's from a Roman fountain, but is it any kind of relevant symbol to the Catholic faith? Why did they decide to put it in the Vatican?

Could it be intended as a symbol of the pineal gland, which Descartes said to be the "seat of the soul"?

 

[AMDG]

Thought it was just a Roman fountain.

 

[Nymira]

It's just a Roman fountain-- a piece of pre-Christian art that survived from before the Vatican was built. If my memory serves me correctly, it's from the 1st or 2nd century. I don't believe that it has any real meaning other than looking kind of neat.

 

[Foundthelight]

A picture or link would help.

 

[judechild]

The Vatican has numerous museums, and one is the "Profane Museum" (not profane as in offensive; profane as in non-religious). The Catholic Church loves beauty, whether it has religious significance or not.

 

[Nymira]

A picture or link would help.

I assumed she was referring to the fountain in the Cortile della Pigna.