In order to organize for the impending Papal Conclave, the Vatican today closed the Sistine Chapel to visitors. As of one pm today, the chapel, famous for its renaissance frescoes, might be closed to the general public until the method of selecting a brand new Pope has finished.
From the Vatican’s statement:
In order to deal with the forthcoming Conclave, the Sistine Chapel will remain closed to the general public from 1 pm on Tuesday 5 March until further notice. In the course of the same period, the Borgia Apartment and the gathering of recent Religious Art is probably not included in visits to the Vatican Museums.
The papal conclave is being convened within the wake of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, the primary such resignation since Pope Gregory XII in 1415. Benedict XVI cited his poor health as a explanation for his resignation, saying, “both strength of will and body are necessary, strength which within the previous few months, has deteriorated in me to the level that i’ve got needed to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”
The Catholic Church’s College of Cardinals will now meet to elect the subsequent Pope, who also serves because the Bishop of Rome. The Cardinals will lock themselves away within the Sistine Chapel, the location of papal conclaves since 1878, and may remain there until the following Pope is selected. A two-thirds majority vote of the Cardinals is needed to elect a brand new Pope.
The beginning date of the papal conclave continues to be unknown, though Cardinals from around the globe are arriving within the Vatican for the development.
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