The late pope and now-saint said in his homily: “It seems that Michelangelo, in his own way, allowed himself to be guided by the evocative words of the Book of Genesis which, as regards the creation of the human being, male and female, reveals: ‘The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame.’”
“The Sistine Chapel is precisely —if one may say so — the sanctuary of the theology of the human body,” he added. “In witnessing to the beauty of man created by God as male and female, it also expresses in a certain way, the hope of a world transfigured, the world inaugurated by the Risen Christ, and even before by Christ on Mount Tabor.”
5. One can take a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel.
It's possible to visit the Sistine Chapel without leaving the house. The website for the Vatican Museums, allows one to virtually stroll through the chapel and zoom in on the details of each fresco.
The experience is not quite the same as being physically present, but visitors can take their time examining the frescoes without the usual crowds.
Bonus fact:
There is a spray-painted replica of the Sistine Chapel in the United States. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, at 622 Commercial street, Cappella Magna can be rented out for functions.
“Welcome to Capella Magna, Iowa's newly imagined premiere destination venue!” the organization’s description says. “Experience the only replica of the Sistine Chapel in the world. Host your corporate event, office party, wedding, or anniversary in the splendor and elegance of Michelangelo's masterpiece reimagined by Waterloo's own, Paco Rosic.”
The description says the venue seats 68 people in the main hall and 50 people in another area of the venue. Photos can be seen on the venue's Facebook page.
Joseph Bukuras is a journalist at the Catholic News Agency. Joe has prior experience working in state and federal government, in non-profits, and Catholic education. He has contributed to an array of publications and his reporting has been cited by leading news sources, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Catholic University of America. He is based out of the Boston area.