5 Things to Know This Morning

March 5, 2013 — -- Your look at the five biggest and most buzz-worthy stories of the morning.

1. Sistine Chapel Closed to Visitors for Conclave

The Sistine Chapel closes to visitors today in the clearest sign yet that a papal election is nearing. As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, Michelangelo's frescoed masterpiece will be sealed to tourists as Vatican workers put it into shape for the conclave, including attaching the stove, where the ballots are burned, to the Sistine Chapel's chimney.

2. Woman Says Sex Allegations Against Sen. Menendez a Lie

Allegations that Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had sex with prostitutes in the Dominican Republic were a lie, according to a young woman who signed an affidavit saying she was paid to make the false claims in the week before last year's elections.

3. Casey Anthony Living Off 'Kindness of Others'

Casey Anthony was forced to come out of seclusion and publicly answer questions for the first time Monday when she appeared in Florida bankruptcy court. "I don't pay rent. I don't pay utilities," Anthony said, according to the AP. "I guess you could say I'm living free off the kindness of others."

4. Chavez' Health Worsening

The health of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is worsening. The country's communications minister says the 58-year-old president is in a "very delicate" state with breathing problems

5. Super Bowl Champ Flacco Inks $120M Deal

Super Bowl champion and game MVP Joe Flacco inked a $120 million, 6-year contract Monday. That makes him the highest paid player by average annual value in NFL history.