Russell Crowe was granted something that few other people in the world have ever experienced: a private tour of the Sistine Chapel.
The 58-year-old actor shared on social media that he was allowed to walk through the halls of the Vatican Museum and immersed himself in its every detail.
Crowe uploaded photos of his experience to Twitter, where he expressed his gratitude that he had the chance to have an intimate excursion inside the iconic Chapel.
"I’m not sure there’s a more special privilege in the world than to hold the key for the Sistine Chapel and to experience its glory in silence. So grateful. Sono al servicio di Roma." he wrote.
Check out the photos below:The Gladiator star then wrote a series of tweets about his experience and said that he was invited with his family. It was clear that he and his family got exclusive access that regular people would not get.
"Got to walk through the Vatican Museum by ourselves. Amazing," he wrote. "My mum had walked these corridors with my father 20+ years ago with the thousands of tourists that flock here daily and make it the third most popular museum globally."
"We were given access to rooms, perspectives, and parts of the collection you don’t get to see as a regular tourist," he added. "As we squeezed into a tiny private elevator and ascended to a balcony few get to see, she squeezed my hand and said 'I wish your father was here'".
Crowe concluded his thread on a heartfelt note, urging people to appreciate their parents if they are still alive, writing: "If you're lucky enough to have your parents around, look after them. Call, visit, show them love."
While the moment seemed like a memorable time for the Australian actor, users on the social media platform weren't very happy with Crowe getting special treatment.
They were also disappointed with the actor taking a photo of the well-known artwork on the ceiling of the Chapel, which is strictly prohibited.
One user wrote: "Great. Now somebody explain please to the other 99% of human beings in the world, even those who where born in Rome, why they JUST CAN'T experience the wonder of the Sistine Chapel in silence, while he can. What's the point of such beauty, into such a corrupted fabric?"
Another commented: "Did you get special permission to take photos at Sistine Chapel?"
A third chimed in and said: "So, the church gives privileges to rich and famous people why the plebs have to queue and swelter in the heat."
Meanwhile, other users believe that Crowe can document his experience inside the Vatican City because he starred in the hit film Gladiator, therefore he should be granted that opportunity.
One user wrote: "Russell Crowe, has given Rome more than they could ever pay him in a lifetime by making Rome a more, it already was, important holiday destination after Gladiator, my favorite movie."
Per Mental Floss, the reason why you can't take photos inside the Sistine Chapel is because of a long-standing copyright agreement with Japan's Nippon Television Network Corporation.
The agreement financed its extensive restoration project launched in 1980 and has been in place for decades. However, some of the terms have since expired but the ban on photography remains inconsistent.