FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VATICAN SPLENDORS ENTERS FINAL MONTH AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM - COINCIDES WITH PAPAL VISIT TO U.S. AND 3 rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELECTION OF POPE BENEDICT XVI Extended Hours in Place for Highly Popular Exhibit Set to Close May 11 St. Petersburg, FL (April 9, 2008) Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Swiss Guard is now in its final month at Florida International Museum (FIM) in downtown St. Petersburg . This incredible exhibit continues to fascinate and educate our patrons, said Kathy Oathout, executive director for Florida International Museum . Vatican Splendors continues to offer museum visitors the chance to learn more about the Vatican , the saints and the lives of the popes. It is especially timely as Pope Benedict XVI makes his first visit to the United States , where he will be received by Bishop Robert Lynch of the Saint Petersburg Diocese and other leaders of the Catholic Church. Making its inaugural stop on a three-city U.S. tour, Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Swiss Guard presents unique objects illustrating the Vatican 's impact on history and culture through 2,000 years. The timing of the exhibition commemorates the 500th anniversary of Saint Peter's Basilica, the founding of the Vatican Museums ; Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the establishment of the Papal Swiss Guard. Also, in conjunction with the anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI (April 19), the exhibition offers visitors the unique opportunity to view, in person, objects actually used in this historic event, including the beautiful urns used for his election, as well as his papal garments. The exhibit will be on display at FIM through May 11, 2008 . Currently, FIM hours for Vatican Splendors are Monday Saturday, 9 a.m. 6 p.m.; Sunday 12 noon 6 p.m.; last admission at 5 p.m. FIM offers extended hours on Wednesdays: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM with the box office closing at 7:00 PM and on Sundays 11:00 AM 6:00 PM with the box office closing at 5:00 PM . Beginning Friday, April 28 until May 11, Monday - Friday hours will be expanded to 9:00 AM 9:00 PM with last entry at 7:00 PM. Tickets to this exhibition are subject to availability based on timed-entry admissions. More information about Vatican Splendors is available at www.vaticansplendors.com . For information about the Florida International Museum , visitors may call 727-341-7900 or go to www.floridamuseum.org . Florida International Museum is a non-profit educational institution supported, in part, by the Florida Arts Council, State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs, Institute of Museum & Library Services, City of St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County Cultural Arts. Major sponsors for Vatican Splendors include Progress Energy, SunTrust, Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, St. Petersburg Times and the Diocese of St. Petersburg . Other sponsors include The Mahaffey Company, The Sembler Company, Biltmore Construction, Bright House Networks, Carlton Fields, Hearn Hoyt Wealth Management of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Terra Construction Group, Too Jay's Restaurant, Canerday, Belfsky & Arroyo, Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and CapTrust.
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Contact: Nicole Landry |