The ongoing production of Angels & Demons, the prequel to Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code,” was not granted permission by the diocese of Rome to film in two churches. The novel drew anger and protest from church leaders worldwide because of the idea that Jesus married and fathered children. The story likewise depicted the conservative Catholic Movement “Opus Dei” as a murderous cult.

The crew requested filming in the churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria. It would have been the perfect setting for the story with the churches which would include paintings by Caravaggio, sculptures by Bernini and a chapel designed by Raphael. Read the rest of this entry »