And of course, that, along with the Sistine Chapel ceiling, are what were meant to focus the minds of the cardinal electors. DETROW: Quite the scene ...

This Dec. 10, 1999 file photo shows Michelangelo's fresco "La Creazione" ("The Creation") on the ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. Credit: AP/Plinio Lepri ...

The Sistine Chapel is a chapel within the Apostolic Palace, ... Pope Julius II decided to partly alter the decoration (the ceiling previously had a starry sky painted by Pier Matteo d'Amelia.

The Vatican is closing the Sistine Chapel to the ... FILE - This Dec. 10, 1999 file photo shows Michelangelo's fresco "La Creazione" ("The Creation") on the ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.