Michelangelo's Conversion of St. PaulPope Benedict XVI on Saturday will inaugurate the newly restored Pauline Chapel, which contains the two final works of Michelangelo.
The Pope will celebrate solemn vespers in the chapel, which is within the Apostolic Palace and is used as a private chapel for the Pontiffs. It houses Michelangelo's depictions of the conversion of St. Paul and the crucifixion of St. Peter, painted between 1542 and 1550.
The $4.5 million) restoration project was presented during a press conference Tuesday in the Apostolic Palace.
Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, president of the Governor's Office for Vatican City State, expressed satisfaction "that the work ended almost in symbolic concurrence with th
e conclusion of the Pauline Year, as was programmed Sept. 30, 2008, in a meeting with the outside commission of experts."A new lighting plan was installed in the chapel to better display the frescos.
The Pauline Chapel is on the first floor of the Apostolic Palace, close to this Sistine Chapel. It owes its name to the Pope who commissioned it, Paul III (1534-1549).
Besides Michelangelo's works, there are various artistic treasures depicting scenes from the Acts of the Apostles. Among these are the works of Federico Zuccari and Lorenzo Sabbatini.
[Source: Zenit Catholic news agency]
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