The Vatican Museums unveil the newly restored Apollo of Belvedere, an emblematic sculpture from the second century, following five years of work. Running to a cost of 250,000 euros, the restoration was aimed at addressing "serious structural damage" to the sculpture, which is considered the quintessence of beauty and art. "We were determined not to touch any of the sculpture," explains Guy Devreux, head of Stone Materials Restoration Laboratory, adding that his team used "a structural, dynamic system, based on the use of carbon fibre." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES