fresh frescoRabbi Benjamin Blech is raising hell in Vatican City. His new book “The Sistine Secrets” claims the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling is riddled with hidden messages, which promote Judaism & criticize the Pope.

Blech points to the scene of the Prophet Zechariah, which he says is actually a likeness of Pope Julius II and that one the angels hovering over him appears to be giving the fig sign, the Renaissance equivalent of the middle finger (digitally enhanced photo left). Blech alleges Michelangelo did this as retaliation for the Pope strong-arming him into painting the Chapel’s ceiling despite his lack of experience & interest in painting frescoes.