"The anthropic pressure with dust, the humidity which bodies bring with them inside, the carbon dioxide produced by perspiration involves discomfort for visitors and damages to the painting in the long run," he added.

Paolucci said there are no plans to limit access to the work in the short term or medium term, rather he said, "we have been graced with technology which allows us, if used correctly, to preserve Michelangelo's work which history has given us under the best conditions, for the longest possible time."

For those who cannot get to Rome to see it, the Vatican website has a virtual model that lets you move through the room and see all the artwork, including the ceiling and "The Last Judgement."