VATICAN CITY
Daily Mail (UK)
Sistine Chapel closes to tourists: Vatican sends signal that cardinals are ready to elect new pope as it shuts doors to Michaelangelo masterpiece
By Sara Malm and Nick Pisa
Sistine Chapel closes: Master of Liturgical Celebrations Archbishop Piero Marini closes the door of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, after proclaiming those not taking part in the conclave must leave the chapel
The Vatican today sent the clearest sign yet that a papal election is nearing with the Sistine Chapel announcing it is closing to visitors.
As of this afternoon, Michelangelo’s frescoed masterpiece will be sealed to tourists as Vatican workers put it into shape for the conclave.
In 2005, the last time the College of Cardinals elected a pope, those preparations included installing a false floor to hide anti-bugging devices and attaching the stove, where the ballots are burned, to the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.
Today the gathered cardinals began a second round of pre-conclave meetings to organize the election process and get to know one another. With a handful of cardinals still travelling to Rome, no date has yet been set.
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