THE Vatican sealed off part of St Peter's Basilica after chunks of plaster rained down on worshippers at the height of the Easter holiday season.

Plaster fell near Michelangelo's famed Pieta statue, near the main entrance - hours after the Pope is alleged to have denied the existence of hell.

4 The Vatican sealed off part of St Peter's Basilica, pictured, after chunks of plaster rained down on tourists Credit: EPA

Italian journalist, Eugenio Scalfari, claims the Pontiff told him: "Hell doesn’t exist, the disappearance of the souls of sinners exists.”

The comments, reported in Italian publication La Repubblica, sparked outrage with conservatives concerned the Pope had changed Biblical doctrine.

A Vatican press officer said: “No words in quotation marks should be considered as a faithful transcription of the Holy Father’s words."

Hours later, worshippers were pummelled with falling plaster at the Holy spot - but no injuries were reported.

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said repairmen were brought into to secure the site and the basilica remained open for business.

4 Workers were brought in to repair the famous basilica Credit: AFP or licensors

A topless woman tried to steal a statue of the baby Jesus at the Vatican moments before Pope Francis delivered his Christmas message

4 More than five million tourists visit the Vatican Museums alone every year. Pictured is Pope Francis during a religious ritual Credit: Reuters

Holy Week sees floods of pilgrims and tourists visiting St Peter's, particularly to see Pope Francis.

The ceremonies are capped by Easter Sunday celebrations outside in St Peter's Square.

More than five million tourists visit the Vatican Museums alone every year, with Christmas and Easter periods typically seeing a huge surge in visitors.

4 Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the basilica remained open for business Credit: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Pope Francis recently revealed he will have cataracts surgery next year.

He revealed the news speaking to prisoners at Rome's Regina Coeli prison after he performed the Holy Thursday ritual of washing the feet of 12 people.

Francis, who frequently tells inmates they need to keep hope alive, told them that they must clear their eyes every day so they can see and spread hope.

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He said cataracts often make it difficult to see, adding: "At my age, for example, cataracts come and you don't see reality well. Next year I have to have an operation."

He said the same thing happens with life, when disillusionment clouds the soul.

Francis urged the inmates to do a daily cleansing of their view on life a "cataract surgery for the soul" so they can keep having hope.

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