INTERNATIONAL: Mexico City welcomed a life-size replica of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel in the capital's historic city center.

The replica, made up of thousands of high-resolution photographs of the masterpiece frescoes arranged in equal proportions to the original building in the Vatican, opened its doors on April 21 and will remain open to the public for three weeks.

During its first week, the exhibition received more than 150,000 people visitors

Mexico City resident and visitor Claudio Patino told Reuters he was moved by the exhibition.

"It felt like being there (in Sistine Chapel in the Vatican) because I know that they are authentic photographs and they are wonderful. It was very gratifying and I'm happy to have visited this exhibition."

According to local media, Mexico City's authorities hope to reach one million visitors while the replica remains in the city.

The replica commemorates the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the Mexican state and the Vatican.

Previously, in June 2016, the was installed in front of the Monument to the Revolution.

^{PHOTO: VISITORS IN SISTINE CHAPEL REPLICA /PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTIONS ON WALLS AND CEILING OF SISTINE CHAPEL LIFE-SIZED REPLICA / SOUNDBITES FROM VISITORS / VISITORS WAITING TO GET INTO SISTINE CHAPEL REPLICA}