PAUL VI HAD NO INTENTION OF SELLING MICHELANGELO'S PIETA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 1, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration regarding the supposed intention expressed by Pope Paul VI to sell Michelangelo's "Pieta" and give the proceeds to the poor:

"This news has absolutely no foundation. Indeed, it was Paul VI who, following the exposition of the 'Pieta' in the United States, gave specific indications that Michelangelo's marble sculpture should not leave the Vatican again without special permission from the Holy Father, through the Secretariat of State."

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