News

The Vatican Department of Motor Vehicles and its responsibilities

SCV 1: The Pope's licence plate

SCV 1 is the licence plate of the Pontiff. The remaining 599 SCV licence plates are reserved for vehicles in circulation within Vatican City State. The Vatican Department of Motor Vehicles has been registering vehicles belonging to the Governorate and to the Bodies of the Holy See, since 1930. In addition to issuing driving licences to Vatican citizens and residents, the Department is also responsible for collecting road tax. The following is an interview with Elena Montesi of the Vatican Department of Motor Vehicles.

With the contribution of the New York Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums

Completion of the restoration of the Hall of Constantine

After almost 10 years of restoration works, the Vatican Museum's Hall of Constantine was inaugurated during an official ceremony on Wednesday, 26 February. The ceremony was attended by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, Mr. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Deputy Secretary General, Barbara Jatta, Director of Museums and Cultural Heritage, Monsignor Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Office for Relations with the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, and Donna D’Urso, leader of the New York Chapter, accompanied by 25 members of the Patrons. The New York Chapter and the Eileen Carlson Estate financially supported the restoration, with a generous contribution. The massive restoration, which began in 2015, was one of the longest  projects to be funded, to date.

The Governorate and the Customs and Monopolies Agency of the Italian Republic sign a Protocol of Cooperation

On Thursday morning, 27 February, the Governorate of Vatican City State signed an important Protocol of Cooperation with the Customs and Monopolies Agency of the Italian Republic at the Agency's headquarters in Piazza Mastai, Rome. The agreement, which is aimed at revitalizing customs cooperation, was signed by Mr. Roberto Alesse, Director of the Customs and Monopolies Agency, and by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate.

Pope Francis appoints two Secretaries General

Pope Francis has appointed the following as Secretaries General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, effective 1 March 2025: Archbishop Emilio Nappa, who has been serving as Assistant Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, and as President of the Pontifical Mission Societies; Mr. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi (lawyer), who has been serving as Deputy Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State.