By Charles Igwe
In preparation for the upcoming Jubilee 2025, the Fabric of Saint Peter has commenced the installation of a new high-security glass barrier to protect Michelangelo’s Pietà. The restoration work, which began on May 27, is set to conclude by the end of September 2024. This initiative aims to ensure both the security and visibility of the renowned sculpture.
The new barrier will consist of nine “shatterproof” and “bulletproof” panels of the highest quality and maximum transparency. Designed by a team of experts, it features an innovative anchoring system to provide optimal protection and viewing experience for pilgrims and visitors. This project, funded and executed by a group of Piedmont businessmen and professionals, seeks to enhance the devotion and admiration for the Marian icon.
During the restoration period, a plaster cast of Saint Peter’s Pietà, created by Francesco Mercatali between 1942 and 1943, will be displayed in the Basilica.
This security upgrade follows the infamous attack on May 21, 1972, when Laszlo Toth, an Australian geologist of Hungarian origin, damaged the sculpture with a hammer. Toth struck the Pietà fifteen times, severely damaging the Virgin’s face, breaking her left arm, and injuring the elbow. Thanks to meticulous restoration efforts, the sculpture was restored to its original state, necessitating the protective glass that is now being updated for enhanced security and visibility for the Jubilee.
