October 19, 2013 - Pope Francis thanked the benefactors of the Patrons of the Arts
in the Vatican Museums who met him in the Vatican on the occasion of the 30th
anniversary of their foundation. The some 2,000-member Patrons of the Arts of the
Vatican Museums is a worldwide community in Europe and the U.S., dedicated to the
restoration and conservation of artwork within the Vatican Museums through the financial
adoption of various projects. They are marking their anniversary with a series of
events in Rome, Oct. 15-21. Pope Francis told the group that the establishment of
their association was inspired not only by a praiseworthy sense of stewardship for
the Church’s heritage of sacred art, but also by the desire to advance the spiritual
and religious ideals which led to the foundation of the papal collections. He said,
“In every age the Church has called upon the arts to give expression to the beauty
of her faith and to proclaim the Gospel message of the grandeur of God’s creation,
the dignity of human beings made in his image and likeness, and the power of Christ’s
death and resurrection to bring redemption and rebirth to a world touched by the tragedy
of sin and death.” “The Vatican Museums, with their unique and rich history, make
it possible for countless pilgrims and visitors to Rome to encounter this message
through works of art which bear witness to the spiritual aspirations of humanity,
the sublime mysteries of the Christian faith, and the quest of that supreme beauty
which has its source and fulfillment in God,” the Pope added. Some 5.5 million people
are expected to visit the Vatican Museums this year. The Sistine Chapel, the main
attraction of the museums, is visited by some 20,000 people a day in high season.
(Source: Vatican)