MICHELANGELO'S LAST MIRACLE" - THE UNVEILING OF THE PAULINE CHAPEL

The Pauline Chapel is the smallest, the most remote and the most secret among all the chapels inside the Apostolic Palace. Yet, its symbolic meaning is highly significant being that it is dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Princes of the Apostles, and thus called to represent the mission and destiny of the Universal Church. When the Blessed Sacrament is displayed on the altar, the message which is preserved and proclaimed by the Pope of Rome is clearly and effectively represented. > continue reading On the Restoration of the Pauline Chapel: > view photos > view videos > view articles Restored chapel: Murals by Michelangelo Pope Benedict inaugurated the newly restored private papal Pauline Chapel --- decorated with Michelangelo's murals of the conversion of St. Paul and the crucifixion of St. Peter --- during an evening prayer service attended by members of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums from the United States , England and Ireland July 4. In his homily, the pope pointed out the chapel in the Apostolic Palace is a place for the successor of Peter and his collaborators to meditate in silence and adore the living Christ, present especially in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist. "The Eucharist is the sacrament in which the whole work of redemption is concentrated: In Jesus the Eucharist we can contemplate the transformation of death into life (and of) violence into love," the pope said. Pope Benedict added it was interesting to note that Michelangelo depicted St. Paul as an old man when he was converted on the road to Damascus , even though the apostle probably was only in his 30s. The artist's choice recognizes that maturity in faith comes from being enlightened with divine grace, the pope said. The face of St. Peter in the mural on the opposite wall, the pope noted, is not that of a man in pain, but of a man who is searching for someone or something. "He realizes precisely at that moment the culmination of following" Christ, the pope said. "The disciple is not greater than the master, and now he will experience all the bitterness of the cross, the consequences of sin that separates us from God, all the absurdity of violence and lies." Pope Benedict said the private chapel invites the pope and his aides "to meditate in silence on the mystery of the cross, which accompanies the church to the end of time, and to welcome the light of faith, which -- thanks to the apostolic community -- can extend to the ends of the earth the missionary and evangelizing action entrusted to it by the risen Christ." Guests attending the dedication donated the $4.6 million needed to restore the private papal chapel. ---Catholic News Service