In continuity and harmony, at the service of the Successor of Peter

Sometimes words alone are not enough to express what one feels within, when one’s service to the Pope, to the Hoy See and to the Governorate ends, after 53 years. The farewell becomes imbued with feelings, memories and affection, as occurred during the farewell ceremony of Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate, until 28 February. Having completed his 80th birthday, he wished to step down by celebrating Holy Mass on Monday morning, 3 March, in the Church of Mary, Mother of the Family.

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.

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 Bodies of Government have donated cymbals and a bass drum to the Musical Band of the Gendarmerie Corps as a token of recognition for their generous dedication to spreading the beauty of music throughout the world.

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.