Sistine Chapel Set to Resume Operations Following Selection of New Pope in Conclave
The Vatican has announced the reopening of the Sistine Chapel following the election of a new pope, Robert Francis Prevost. The American cleric, who assumes the pontificate, marks the first time a non-Italian has become head of the Roman Catholic Church. After almost a fortnight of closed-door discussions among cardinals, the Sistine Chapel had been inaccessible to the public since May 7.
Michelangelo's renowned Sistine Chapel is part of the extensive Vatican Museums, one of the world's most frequented art institutions with around 6.8 million visitors in 2024, according to recent data from The Art Newspaper. However, since April 28, the museums have been closed in preparation for the conclave.
The conclave, the process by which a new pope is elected, concluded earlier this week, just under a month after the passing of Pope Francis. The Vatican Museums have announced that the Sistine Chapel will reopen to the public on May 19, pending final security clearance.
The Vatican Museums shared artwork from their collection on Instagram, including Perugino's Delivery of the Keys on May 18, symbolizing the beginning of the conclave process. In their post, the museums emphasized that the keys depicted in the painting symbolize trust, not power, and those who receive them are called to serve, guard, and guide.
The Sistine Chapel, a cornerstone of the Vatican Museums, is considered one of the most significant works of the Renaissance, featuring renowned frescoes detailing Old and New Testament events, including the famous depiction of the creation of Adam. During the conclave, the cardinals gathered beneath Michelangelo's The Last Judgment, a fresco portraying the Second Coming of Christ.
In anticipation of the conclave proceedings, the Vatican Museums highlighted the Sistine Chapel as a symbol of the Catholic Church's doctrine on Instagram, noting that time stands still, history waits, and the world holds its breath during the event.
- The Sistine Chapel, a significant work of the Renaissance housed within the Vatican Museums, will reopen to the public on May 19, showcasing Michelangelo's famous frescoes, including the creation of Adam.
- The Vatican Museums, a global art institution, have shared various pieces from their collection on Instagram, including Perugino's Delivery of the Keys, symbolizing the start of the conclave process, and emphasizing the keys' representation of trust, not power.
- The Sistine Chapel, part of the extensive Vatican Museums, is not only an important work of art but also a center for education-and-self-development, offering insights into religion, lifestyle, and general news, as depicted in the depiction of the creation of Adam and the gathering of cardinals beneath The Last Judgment.
