Rome Raphael, who in Rome became one of the most famous painters of Italy, created frescoes in the Villa Farnesina, the Raphael's Rooms, plus many other famous paintings. Michelangelo started the decoration of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and executed the famous statue of the Moses for the tomb of Julius II. Rome lost in part its religious character, becoming increasingly a true Renaissance city, with a great number of popular feasts, horse races, parties, intrigues and licentious episodes. Its economy was rich, with the presence of several Tuscan bankers, including Agostino Chigi, who was a friend of Raphael and
Sistine Chapel Choir "Any kind of guerilla action against Vatican II does not produce good fruits. The council's principles by now are untouchable." In 2010, Massimo Palombella, a Salesian priest, was appointed to replace Liberto as head of the choir. In September 2015, Deutsche Grammophon released a CD recorded in Sistine Chapel with the choir, the very first recording allowed there. Authorised by Pope Francis, he ruled that profits from sales of the album must be used for charity purposes only. On September 26, 2017, the Sistine Chapel Choir made their first visit to Canada, hosted by St. Michael's Choir School, at St.