Nearly 5.5 million visited Vatican Museums in 2013

January 03, 2014 - Close to 5.5 million people visited the Vatican Museums during 2013. The museums’ director, Antonio Paolucci attributed it partly to what he described as ‘Pope Francis effect.’ 5,459,000 people made to the museums during the past year, Paolucci said, expressing concern for another wave of ‘immense mass of Catholics from the world over” during the Easter celebrations and the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II in spring. He said added funds would be needed in view of the ever growing number of visitors. This year in May, the museums plan to put in place anti-pollution measures to control temperature and humidity in the Sistine Chapel, the main attraction. Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums celebrated their 500th anniversary in October 2006.