On Friday, August 21st a Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, at Mundelein Seminary to mark the conclusion of the spiritual retreat that initiates the new academic year of formation for seminarians. The Mass was attended by students, faculty members, and staff on the premises of the Seminary, located at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in the State of Illinois (USA). Following the celebration, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, met with the seminarians.

Heritage Under Glass: From the Papal “Stoves” to the Contemporary Greenhouses

At the heart of the Vatican Gardens, the art of protecting nature has deep roots in a centuries-old tradition. Since the eighteenth century, with the first “stufe” or stoves— early heated greenhouse like structures designed for keeping exotic plant collections — and the orangeries for citrus trees, these spaces have never been merely technical shelters. For many Pontiffs, from Clement XI to Leo XIII and Pius XI, they were genuine oases where one could stroll, even in winter, among the natural scents of what was known as the Garden of Simplicity. Over time, these buildings evolved alongside construction techniques, progressing from the earliest masonry structures to the iron-and-glass buildings of the early twentieth century, and finally to today’s ecological conversions. Today, the greenhouses continue to be the botanical heart of the Vatican State, bringing together tradition and sustainability.

The “Spirituality and Astronomy” workshop, promoted by the Vatican Observatory at its Castel Gandolfo center outside Rome, concluded on Sunday, August 30. The initiative brought together the scientific view of the universe into dialogue with the spiritual dimension. Organized by Sr. Irene Tranquillini, O.F.M.I., with the contributions of Fr. Matteo Galaverni, Fr. Gabriele Gionti, S.J., and Fr. Robert Janusz, S.J, the aim was to create a path capable of weaving together scientific rigor, theological reflection, and contemplative experience, without allowing any one of these three dimensions to overshadow each other. 

The President of the Governorate met with H.E. Mr. Leyde Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández, Ambassador of Cuba to the Holy See, to discuss shared projects involving the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services, and the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage.

Feeling part of a large community while embarking on the theme of Around the World in 80 Days, accompanied by Mr. Charlie, an eccentric inventor, together with Jeremy, his faithful assistant—half robot and half human—and Olympia, the Greek friend they met during the various stages of their extraordinary journey: this was the experience shared by hundreds of children and preteens who took part in the 2026 edition of the Vatican Summer Camp. One month after it came to an end, the time has come to take stock of the initiative.