Bronze relief...

 

In preparation for the Holy Year of 1950, Pius XII held a competition for three new bronze doors to lead from the portico to the basilica. Of the winners, the most distinguished artist was Giacomo Manzù. His door has large modeled panels of the Crucifixion and Annunciation, and lesser panels of prophets, apostles and saints.

The first door on the left is called the Door of Death because at one time it was the exit for funeral processions. The scenes sculpted between 1961 and 1964 by Giacomo Manzù (1908-1991) in accordance with the wishes of John XXIII (1958-1963), express the Christian meaning of death in ten episodes. - Source

 

+ + +

It's often criticized by some as too modern - therefore decadent.  Yet the sculptor chosen, Giacomo Manzu, whose style was familiar to Pope Pius XII, was chosen for the project while Pius was alive.