NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, AUG. 27, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Pope Pius XII’s final resting place and three other sites in Vatican Grottoes will be restored with funding from the Knights of Columbus, the group announced.
The Knights of Columbus is working with the Fabbrica di San Pietro on the restoration of the Peribolo of Clement VIII, the Chapel of the Madonna of the Parturient, the Chapel of the Budding Madonna and the Monumental Sepulcher Chapel of Pius XII.
The Fabbrica oversees construction matters relating to St. Peter’s Basilica. The Knights will provide about $300,000 for the projects.
The Knights and the Fabbrica previously collaborated on the establishment of the Three Saints’ Chapel in the grotto dedicated to Sts. Cyril, Methodius and Benedict; the cleaning of the facade of St. Peter’s; and the restoration of the Maderno Atrium prior to the Jubilee Year, among other projects.
The Peribolo of Clement VIII is an enclosed courtyard with a decorated vaulted archway and niches where marble statues of the apostles are displayed. Planned restoration includes cleaning the entire vault, and cleaning and repairing the statuary.
The Chapel of the Madonna of the Parturient honors Mary as a mother about to give birth. Its artwork includes two 15th-century frescoes depicting the Madonna and Child. According to the Fabbrica, work in this area will include cleaning a «microfungus» on the decorations of the central part of the vault.
The sepulcher of Pius XII is dominated by the marble sarcophagus of the Pope. Marble and mosaic works there will be cleaned.
