News

Deum Creatorem Venite Adoremus – Ninety Years of the Vatican Observatory at Castel Gandolfo

September 29, 2025, marks the 90th anniversary of the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Vatican Observatory at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. The Observatory is one of the oldest astronomical institutes in the world: its origins go back to the reform of the calendar from Julian to Gregorian in 1582. It was refounded in the Vatican by Pope Leo XIII in 1891 with the motu proprio Ut Mysticam.

The President of the Governorate and Vatican Delegation in Canada for the 42nd Meeting with Chapter Leaders of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums

Responding to times of transition while planning for the future

The annual International Meeting of Chapter Leaders of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums took place in Ottawa, Canada, from September 19 to 21. The delegation from Vatican City was led by Sr. Rafaella Petrini, President of the Governorate and Giuseppe Puglisi-Albrandi, Secretary General. Among other officials, Mons. Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums also attended.

Sr. Raffaella Petrini attended the inauguration of Katia Passerini, 27th President of Gonzaga University in the United States

In the spirit of friendship

Katia Passerini is the 27th President of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. At her inauguration and the beginning of her mandate—held on the afternoon of Friday, September 26, at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane (Washington State)—Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, was present to deliver the Keynote Address in English, which we publish in full below, along with our Italian translation.

In conversation with Giandomenico Spinola, Deputy Director of the Vatican Museums

The restoration of the sculptural displays in the Atrium of the Quattro Cancelli [Four Gates]

Twelve statues and two sarcophagi: these are the sculptural artefacts housed in the niches of the Atrium of the Four Gates and at the base of the Simonetti Staircase in the heart and main passageway within the Vatican Museums. Recently restored between 2023 and 2024, it is now possible to monitor and study in detail works that had long been awaiting. In this interview with www.vaticanstate.va, Professor Giandomenico Spinola, Deputy Director of the Vatican Museums’ Artistic-Scientific sector, discusses the project.

In the Vatican Gardens, Cardinal Vérgez Alzaga Inaugurated and Blessed the Image of Our Lady of the Pillar

A sign of Spain’s presence in the heart of the Holy See

The Virgin most beloved by the Spanish people, she who most influenced the evangelization of the Iberian Peninsula - appearing to the Apostle James in the year 40 A.D. - now has her image reproduced on the wall of the Bastione di Maestro in the Vatican Gardens. It was Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President emeritus of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, who presided over the inauguration and blessing of the new ceramic panel on Wednesday morning, September 24.