Father Sabino Maffeo, SJ, died peacefully on 21 January in the Jesuit Saint Peter Canisius Residence, in Rome’s Via dei Penitenziari, at the age of 102. He spent 87 of those as a member of the Society of Jesus.

Awareness and knowledge of resources and limitations

Twenty days from the entry into force of the Decree of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State on Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence, the Governorate is offering computer skills training courses.

The courses were organized thanks to the professional contribution of technicians from  the Information Systems Service and the Internet Service Provider of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems. They are aimed at employees of the Governorate and are structured with exams and assessments.

Assessment of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24)

Artificial Intelligence is both a challenge and an opportunity. However, there is the need to impose international standards in the ethical sphere, and to continue to promote universal connectivity and digital inclusion, so that no country, region or community will be left behind. These were some of the topics addressed during the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), held from 15 to 24 October 2024 in New Delhi, India. The Assembly was attended by a Vatican Delegation led by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, which included Antonino Intersimone and Luigi Salimbeni, respectively, Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, and Sergio Salvatori, technical officer of the Technological Department of the Dicastery for Communication.

Twenty-five students from twenty-one countries

The Vatican Observatory has announced that 25 students from 21 countries will participate in its 19th Summer School on Astronomy and Astrophysics, VOSS 2025, in June, and have the opportunity of exploring the universe with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Courses will take place at the Vatican Observatory, in the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo.

Human dignity, ethics, security and transparency

Respect for human dignity, security, transparency and ethics are the principles that inspired the drafting of the Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence. Fifteen days since they came into effect, with the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State’s Decree No. DCCII, and while awaiting the laws and regulations for their implementation, it is worth reviewing the key points they feature.