Vatican City, Dec 4, 2007 / 12:27 pm
Today Pope Benedict XVI appointed a new director of the Vatican Museums who is recognized as an expert in the history of art.
Professor Antonio Paolucci, who was the Minister of Cultural Property in the Italian government of Lamberto Dini between 1995 and 1996, is Pope Benedict’s choice to head the prestigious museums.
Prof. Paolucci has an extensive track record in helping preserve the cultural property of Italy. He is well known for his role in restoring the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi after the earthquake that hit in 1997.
He is currently president of the scientific committee for art exhibitions at the "Scuderie del Quirinale" in Rome, vice-president of the Higher Council for Cultural Patrimony and consultant to the mayor for the civic museums of Florence.
Paolucci is taking the place of Francesco Buranelli who was re-assigned today as the director of the Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church and inspector of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology.