Five hundred years ago, Michelangelo unveiled what would come to be regarded as one of the world’s great masterpieces of inspired art and perhaps the most beautiful sculpture ever created. Now, under an exclusive license from the Vatican Observatory Foundation, this masterpiece has been recreated in cast marble from an authorized mold derived from the original. This posthumous Pietà is a 1:1 casting that is faithful in every detail to Michelangelo’s original.

Of all his sculptures the Pietà was the only one Michelangelo ever signed. In the Pietà all of Michelangelo’s attention was focused on evoking the ideal of spiritual beauty so important in the time of the Italian Renaissance. It is a testament to his abiding love of God, the source of his inspiration, that he was able to capture the compassion and serenity in Mary’s face with so much grace that, half a millennium later, the vision of it continues to inspire us. One of the greatest sculptures ever created, it stands as an icon for the Christian faith, bringing inspiration to the millions who visit St. Peter’s Basilica every year.

A rare recreation of this masterpiece is on display here at the Cathedral for a limited time. To find out more about this special project, click here. The Pieta is located in the baptistery, to the right of the main altar and opposite the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Public viewing is available Monday through Friday from 6:30am - 6:00pm, Saturday from 10:00am - 6:00pm and on Sundays during Mass times (8:30am, 11:00am & 6:00pm). Please visit us to take in this brilliant work of art.