ItalyUpdate

The Sistine Chapel ceiling, the masterpiece of Michelangelo Buonarotti, was unveiled by Pope Julius II on the 31 October, the eve of All Saints, 1512. To commemorate the fifth centenary of this extraordinary work, the present Pope, Benedict XVI, like his predecessor, will celebrate vespers in the chapel

on the vigil of All Saints.The ceiling was commissioned by Julius II in 1508 due to the fact that it had developed some cracks in the structure. Michaelangelo worked on it single handed for four years, lying on his back 20 metres above the floor. His achievement is still unparalleled. The Sistine Chapel draws over five million visitors every year.