Conclave: A private tour of the Popes' Pauline Chapel

(Vatican Radio) Before heading into their conclave Tuesday to elect the new pontiff, the Cardinal electors take a brief moment to pray in one of the popes' private chapels formerly used for conclaves: the Pauline Chapel in the papal palace. At 4.30 pm, they will process from the chapel to the Sistine Chapel where the voting will take place. Each morning before entering conclave, the Cardinals will celebrate mass in the Pauline Chapel.

As the Holy Father's private place of worship, the Pauline Chapel is normally off limits to the public and even to Vatican personnel. But after restoration work on the Chapel was completed in June 2009, Tracey McClure had the perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity to go up and take a peek at it, and at Michelangelo’s two huge frescoes of the apostles Peter and Paul adorning its walls. Come join her as she tours the Chapel with one of the best guides you can ask for: the chief art historian responsible for the restoration project, Professor Arnold Nesselrath from the Vatican Museums...

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