Vatican Museums testify to greatness of God, pope says

Published: 2006-11-27

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The holdings of the Vatican Museums are a "theology in images" testifying to the beauty and greatness of God, Pope Benedict XVI said. Meeting Nov. 23 with employees of the museums and their family members, Pope Benedict encouraged the workers to help visitors feel the attraction of Christianity by ensuring they receive a warm and friendly welcome. The papal audience, held in the evening after closing time, was part of the museums' 500th anniversary celebration. The pope noted that 3.8 million people visited the museums in 2005 and that the number of visitors for 2006 already had exceeded 4 million. "Most are not Catholics, many are not Christians and perhaps not even believers," the pope said. While a lot of them also visit St. Peter's Basilica while at the Vatican, a good portion of the visitors see only the museums, he said. The museums are a "sanctuary of art and faith," he said, and they have a "great responsibility" to communicate the Christian message.

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