Sistine Chapel closes to public ahead of conclave
Cardinals set to elect next pope under Michelangelo's ceiling
05 March, 12:12
(see related story)
(ANSA) - Vatican City, March 5 - The Vatican Museums said
that it was closing the Sistine Chapel, which will soon host the
conclave to elect Benedict XVI's successor, until further notice
on Tuesday.It will still be possible to enter the Museums but the chapel, home to Michelangelo's famous frescoed ceilings and his depiction of The Last Judgment, and some other parts of the complex will be off limits. "In order to accommodate the forthcoming Conclave, the Sistine Chapel will remain closed to the public from 1 pm on Tuesday 5 March until further notice," read a statement on the Vatican Museums' website. "During the same period, the Borgia Apartment and the Collection of Modern Religious Art will not be included in visits to the Vatican Museums".
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