International Sistine Chapel closed to visitors from Monday
Due to preparations for the conclave, the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican will be closed to visitors from next Monday. This was announced by the Vatican Museums. Tourist tours of the Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis on the Via Triumphalis will also be suspended for the time being from Monday. On Saturday, the day of the funeral service and burial of Pope Francis, all Vatican museums will be closed.
24.04.2025, 18:14
SDA
In the Sistine Chapel, with its world-famous ceiling painting by Michelangelo, the cardinals traditionally elect the new pope away from the outside world. It is not yet clear exactly when the conclave will meet.
The chapel near St. Peter's Basilica still needs to be prepared for the election: Among other things, a chimney will be installed through which the faithful will be informed with white smoke when a new pope has been elected. When black smoke billows into the Roman sky, the secret ballot continues.
