Sistine Chapel

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Sistine Chapel Private Concert Goes to ... Porsche

It's part of automaker's tour of Italy for car owners

(Newser) - Michelangelo didn't know it at the time, but his work in the Sistine Chapel would one day provide the backdrop for a sacred gathering of Porsche enthusiasts. Tomorrow, those who shelled out about $6,400 a head to the automaker will hear a concert of classical music in the...

Sistine Chapel Getting Better Lights

Given the surge in visitors, it needs a new A-C system, too

(Newser) - Michelangelo probably never would have imagined: His masterpiece on the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel soon will be illuminated by 7,000 LED lights, reports the Wall Street Journal . Visitors have been complaining that the current lighting is so bad they can't make out details of the...

Pope: Go Ahead, Breastfeed in Sistine Chapel

He baptizes 32 babies in annual event

(Newser) - In keeping with his down-to-earth style, Pope Francis encouraged mothers to breastfeed their babies in the grand surroundings of the Sistine Chapel yesterday. The pontiff did his best to put families with crying babies at ease as he baptized 32 infants under Michelangelo's famous fresco of the creation of...

New Pope: Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina

He will be called Pope Francis

(Newser) - The Catholic church has chosen a new pope: Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, a 76-year-old Jesuit. He will be known as Pope Francis and is the first pontiff from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than 1,000 years. He stepped out onto the balcony of...

Black Smoke: No Pope on Rounds 2, 3

Still no decision as LA diocese settles sex abuse suit for $10M

(Newser) - Black smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel's vaunted chimney again this morning, signalling that the second and third rounds of voting from the 115 cardinals gathered inside had failed to yield a pope. Two more rounds await the cardinals this afternoon, reports the AP , and voting will resume after...

It's Voting Time at the Vatican
 The White-Smoke Watch Begins 
Mar 12, 2013 7:38 AM CDT

The White-Smoke Watch Begins

Cardinals prepare to cast first ballots for new pope

(Newser) - This afternoon, 115 cardinals will file into the frescoed Sistine Chapel singing the "Litany of Saints," a hypnotic Gregorian chant imploring the intercession of saints to help them choose a pope. By 3pm EDT (8pm local time) the first puffs of smoke should make their way out of...

Vatican Boots Fake Priest Who Got Past Security

Phony in black fedora showed up with fake entourage

(Newser) - The Vatican today kicked out a phony bishop who got past security and nearly entered a meeting of cardinals who will pick the next pope, USA Today reports. Identified as Ralph Napierski, a German, the man showed up with an entourage of fake assistants and posed for photographs with an...

Pepper-Spray Cop an Arty Meme

Startling incident inspires art mash-ups

(Newser) - Something about the startling contrast between a hulking cop with a giant can of pepper spray and a group of relatively meek, geeky students has the blogosphere going all arty. The cop who doused sitting UC Davis students full in the face last week is now an internet meme, appearing...

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