Vatican to help restore art damaged in central Italy quake

Vatican to help restore art damaged in Italy quake

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican will help restore paintings, statues and other artworks damaged in the earthquake that devastated central earlier this month.

Francesco Buranelli, a top culture official at the Holy See, said experts from the Vatican museums will directly restore some of the works.

The Vatican on Wednesday also reiterated an appeal to restorers, labs, museums and financial institutions worldwide to “adopt” a damaged artwork and care for its restoration.

The powerful April 6 quake shattered churches and castles dating to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, burying in the rubble many of the artworks they housed.

Italy’s culture minister has estimated restoration works will cost at least €50 million ($65million).