article_snippet: Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said a cardinal in charge of St Peter's Basilica, which Michelangelo also helped to design, had been offered the documents for 'a certain price'.
article_snippet: Rome newspaper Il Messaggero said the person, described as a former Vatican employee, had asked for 100,000 euros (£72,000).
article_snippet: Vatican said a cardinal was sent a ransom demand asking for £72,000 to return two letters by Renaissance master Michelangelo (pictured, St Peter's Basilica, which the artist helped to design)
article_snippet: This is the first time Vatican has acknowledged the theft of the two letters, one of which supposedly contains Renaissance master Michelangelo who painted the Sistine Chapel's signature.
article_snippet: Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said a cardinal 'naturally refused because these are stolen documents'.
article_snippet: Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi added that Vatican police were now investigating the case with Vatican police Italian counterparts.
article_snippet: The demand is believed to have come from a former Vatican employee.
article_snippet: However, The Times reports the signed letter is believed to discuss art commissioned by the Pope.
highlights_snippet: Vatican says Vatican was sent demand by man believed to be a former employee .
  