The Vatican Museums are free to visitors on Thursday 27 September, on the occasion of World Tourism Day. The usual opening hours of 09.00-18.00 apply, with last entry at 16.00.
Promoted by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), World Tourism Day is celebrated worldwide every 27 September.
This year's theme is "Tourism and Energetic Sustainibility", with official celebrations taking place in Mapalomas in 2012 host country Spain.
The Vatican has participated in World Tourism Day since the initiative began in 1980.
For more details see http://mv.vatican.va.