The Agony and the Ecstasy was made into a movie starring Rex Harrison as Pope Julius 11, Charlton Heston as Michaelangelo, and their conflict over the painting of the Sistine Chapel. Excellent movie! Great book! Especially for those of us who admire Michelangelo. Consider the impact his artwork had last month when 115 Cardinals swore an oath before this painting of the Last Judgement.
As one cardinal noted ...
"Arriving in the Sistine Chapel and taking the oath was "overwhelming," he said.
Cardinal Carles continued: "And not just on the first day, when entering the conclave, which was seen on television. Every morning and afternoon, with our vote in hand, when going up to the altar, and seeing the Christ of the Last Judgment surrounded by the Sistine Chapel ... we said the formula: 'I swear before this Christ, who will judge me!'
"When one is there, there is no place for 'lobbies,' or pressure groups, or the likes, or any of that!"
ST PETER'S TOMB
One of the most significant ceremonies at Pope Bendict XVI's ascension to the throne of St Peter took place at the beginning of the Mass with a visit to the grottoes underneath St. Peter's Basilica to pay homage at the tomb of the first Pope, St. Peter. Pope Benedict XVI had in mind to underline that he "was not elected successor of John Paul II, but of Peter." The Holy Father, accompanied by the Eastern patriarchs, went down from the Altar of the Confession to the first Pope's sepulcher. At that moment, two deacons collected the two symbols that would later be imposed on the Pope: the Fisherman's Ring and the pallium, which had been laid by the tomb throughout the night. "I leave from where the apostle arrived," Benedict XVI said before processing to St. Peter's Square for the coronation.
STAIRWAY TO ST PETER'S TOMB BENEATH THE MAGNIFICENT BERNINI ALTAR
INDESCRIBABLY BEAUTIFUL CEILING OF THE TOMB.
