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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.
A team effort led primarily by the Directorate of the Pontifical Villas and involving all the Departments of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, everyone gave their utmost to offer Pope Leo XIV a peaceful period of rest at Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo. Dr. Andrea Tamburelli, Director of the Pontifical Villas, speaks about this in an interview for the Governorate’s website news: www.vaticanstate.va
In astronomy, beauty and joy meet: the signs of the presence of God. Knowing what beauty and joy mean allows you to recognize them even in prayer and thus understand what to look for in science. This was stated by the Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, former Director of the Vatican Observatory, from 2015 to September 19th 2025, in this interview with www.vaticanstate.va.
For the first time in the history of the Vatican City State’s numismatic issues, the artistic and creative process behind a coin was carried out entirely on a computer, without using pencils, paper, or sculpting materials, but only the stylus of a graphic tablet. Through this innovative technical approach, the 2024 50-euro gold coin themed “War and Peace” was created. This coin won the Best Gold Coin category of the prestigious international Coin of the Year (COTY) 2025 awards. Achieving this important recognition was the result of a team effort, as explained in this interview by Chiara Principe with www.vaticanstate.va, the designer who has been collaborating with the Vatican City State Mint for thirteen years in coin design.
A call for careful discernment so that Artificial Intelligence may become a tool for the common good, promoting dialogue and fraternity. This appeal was made by Pope Leo XIV to the participants of the AI for Good Global Summit 2025, held in Geneva from July 8 to 11.
There is no doubt that the prestigious palaces, structures and buildings of the Vatican require constant conservation work and, at times, more substantial interventions. This was the case for the barracks of the Gendarmerie and the Pontifical Swiss Guards at Castel Gandolfo, but also for the installation of photovoltaic roofing over the Courtyard of the Corazze at the Vatican Museums and on the Vignaccia warehouse in the Vatican Gardens. All of this falls under the responsibility of the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services of the Governorate of Vatican City State, as explained in this interview with www.vaticanstate.va by its Director, Engineer Salvatore Farina.
Anniversaries, major historical events, and liturgical celebrations—many occasions find their place in the stamp issue calendar of the Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate. Such is the case with the two stamps scheduled to release on Sunday, September 7, for the canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, with four sovereign States jointly issuing these values. Father Felice Bruno, Head of the Postal and Philatelic Service, speaks about this in an interview with www.vaticanstate.va.
She was the first woman to work in the Paintings and Wooden Materials Restoration Laboratory of the Vatican Museums and, in 2017, appointed to head it as chief restorer. Officially retiring on August 1st she can now take stock of her successful career in one of the most prestigious restoration laboratories in the art world, where she worked for 35 years. In this interview with www.vaticanstate.va, Francesca Persegati retraces the history of the laboratory and shares some memorable challenges during her career.
In recent years the Customs Services of the Governorate have undertaken a process of modernization and innovation to align with today’s challenges. Thus, the Protocol of Cooperation between the Vatican City State and the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) was signed to established a coordinated system of controls and information exchange with Italy. We spoke about this with Gianni Lasaracina, Head of the Customs Services of the Governorate, who explained its strategic role and functions in this interview for www.vaticanstate.va.
An entire diocese, with all the components of its community, is mobilizing to create and set up the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square for Christmas 2025. It is the southern Italian Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, within whose territory stands the basilica that houses the mortal remains of Saint Alphonsus de’ Liguori, author of the famous Italian Christmas carol Tu scendi dalle stelle. The Saint himself will be portrayed as a shepherd in the Nativity scene that will be displayed in St. Peter’s Square. Bishop Giuseppe Giudice speaks about it in this interview with http://www.vaticanstate.va
An “ambassador” of its homeland, of its culture and of the faith of the people of Lagundo and the Val d’Ultimo—and of the entire Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. This is what the Christmas tree, the spruce that this year is being gifted to Pope Leo XIV to be displayed in St. Peter’s Square, represents. It is a tradition that has been renewed for years, and the felling of the tree is not an act of offense toward nature, but rather as careful forest management where the selective removal of a tree ensures the health and growth of the forest. In this interview with [www.vaticanstate.va](http://www.vaticanstate.va), Bishop Ivo Muser of Bolzano-Bressanone reflects on its meaning.
The internal Vatican store reopens under the Tigre-Annona brand, bringing many new features. Chief among them are extended opening hours, a commitment to offering the lowest price every day, special attention to recycling and energy saving, and the introduction of new technologies such as a dedicated App.
Nicola Francescucci, Deputy Director for Economic Activities in the Directorate of Economy of the Governorate of Vatican City State, discusses these developments in this interview with www.vaticanstate.va.
At the heart of the Church, immersed in unceasing prayer for the Successor of Peter, following the way of life traced by Saint Clare of Assisi. This is the mission of the Poor Clares of the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception in Albano, a cenobitic community located in the splendid setting of the Papal Villas. On July 15, the community had the joy of welcoming Pope Leo XIV, who visited the monastery. In this interview for the website www.vaticanstate.va, Abbess Sr. Maria Donata Reboldi speaks to us about this encounter.
The Pope’s coming to our monastery was a great gift for us.
What struck us most was his paternal tenderness, his simplicity and humility, with such a kind and human attitude. In him, one perceives very strongly the mystery of God’s presence. It is clear that he is a man who has found peace and conveys great peace. He is a man of great human depth, shown in his attentiveness to each sister, from the eldest to the youngest; he did so with a smile, with his gaze, with an attitude of attentiveness and listening.
He also told us that, as an Augustinian, he has always felt the importance and beauty of contemplative life. We were overjoyed when he explained why he had come to visit the monastery. He said that it is important for the Church to know about our vocation. Without contemplative life, he added, the Church cannot move forward; it needs us, our prayer, our witness — from the youngest to the most experienced. He also stressed how important it is to know about our life and to be able to pray with us, since our participation in the mission of the Church is very significant. For us, this was truly encouraging.
Yes. First of all, because our monastery, founded in 1631 by the Venerable Sr. Francesca Farnese, came into being at the same time as the Popes began using Castel Gandolfo as their summer residence. Thus, the fact that we live within the Papal Villas situates us within the broader reality of the Vatican. We feel, as the Popes themselves — especially Paul VI — used to say, that we are “at the heart of the Church.” For us, this is a privilege, a great gift, and also a strong commitment of prayer and offering, particularly for the Pope, who today is Leo XIV.
Every sister would have her own story to tell. Throughout history, we have welcomed many papal visits — from the recent one of Pope Leo back to his predecessors.
Of Pope Francis, what impressed us was his attentiveness to fraternity. I recall that the first time he came to us, he arrived with his entourage. He stood at the door of the chapter hall, let the sisters enter, and then said extra omnes — literally — closed the door and remained alone with us. It was a truly beautiful and extraordinary meeting!
Pope Benedict XVI visited the monastery, though not during his pontificate - he invited us instead to the Apostolic Palace of the Papal Villas on September 15, 2007. He came to us after his resignation from the Petrine ministry. The first time was on Holy Thursday evening, March 28, 2013, when we celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper together. In that moment, I understood that he was offering his life to the Church, just like Jesus. It was a very powerful sign! He later visited us twice more: on July 10, 2015, for First Vespers of St. Benedict, and on March 19, 2017, on his Saint’s name day. These were figures of great human and spiritual depth, combined with profound humility.
Regarding John Paul II’s visits, we can say that they were moments of profound spirituality, with many joyful and unique memories…
We can affirm that we have not only received visits from Popes, but from “holy Popes.” Even Giovanni Battista Montini [later Pope Paul VI], then Substitute of the Secretariat of State, was sent by Pope Pius XII to visit the monastery after the bombing of February 1, 1944, which killed 18 sisters. On that occasion he made a prophecy that was fully fulfilled: when he would return among us, he would see the community renewed with new and numerous vocations. And so it was, because he returned in 1971 as Pope, and the community had indeed been renewed. His prophecy came true.
At that time, the community numbered about 30 sisters. In that bombing, 18 sisters lost their lives — the youngest among them. That day, the abbess sensed that something terrible was about to happen and gathered the entire community in the choir to pray the Divine Office. When they heard the air-raid siren, they began to flee to take shelter in an inner cave that served as their refuge. The younger sisters ran faster, and when the plane dropped the bomb, it struck precisely those who were ahead of the others. The sisters who died were between 24 and 30 years old. The surviving community consisted only of the older sisters.
This tragedy must be read at its origin. It arose from an offering of life the sisters had made. Indeed, when Pius XII, on October 31, 1942, consecrated the Church and the human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, he asked all consecrated persons to offer their lives for peace, in union with the Eucharistic sacrifice. The sisters accepted his invitation and, at the end of their retreat on December 8 of that same year, they made a vow to become victims for world peace.
Every year we celebrate Mass on the anniversary, during which we remember by name the 18 sisters who died. Some were pulled alive from the rubble, among them Sr. Maria Chiara Damato, who continued to offer her life and later died of tuberculosis in 1948. Hers was not the only offering. The monastery was reborn in the sign of this gift of life.
First of all, her holiness was born in the ordinariness of daily life, where she found the right opportunities to live the Gospel faithfully, making her life a gift of love for the life of the Church. In particular, she prayed for vocations and for priests. She was a reflection of the luminous spiritual atmosphere that the community always sought to live. Hers was not an isolated act, but the tip of the iceberg of a whole reality surrounding her. In the monastery chronicles, we find notes on the lives of various sisters, often ending with the remark: “died in the odor of sanctity.” Sr. Maria Chiara Damato is the figure who stands out from this dimension of holiness that the community lived then and still strives to live today.
There is a beautiful relationship and collaboration, which is not limited to the Papal Villas themselves but extends to the Governorate of Vatican City State.
With the officials, directors, and employees we share moments of prayer and fraternity. We are deeply grateful to the various Presidents of the Governorate who have succeeded one another over the past decades — most recently Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga and, in particular, the current President, Sr. Raffaella Petrini. One of the most important bonds with the Vatican reality is our prayer, which becomes a daily offering for the mission of all those working in the Papal Villas and the Governorate in service of the Holy Father and the Church.
Working with olive wood is something beautiful that we are passionate about, and we do it to support the community. But not only that — it also becomes an opportunity to share with the poor the fruit of this work. In fact, besides offering our prayers for missionaries, we share with them what we have. The beautiful thing, as St. Clare teaches us, is that the work of our hands is a grace that allows us to participate in creation itself — to feel that the hands of human beings and the hands of God intertwine in a single gesture of creation.
Recently, we also had the joy of donating San Damiano crucifixes and various artworks for the new nursery that the Governorate opened for employees’ children. Besides being dedicated to St. Francis and St. Clare, it is meaningful for us that some of our objects are present there as a concrete contribution and as a sign of our prayer for the little ones who attend the nursery and for their families. It is an opportunity for us to express affection and prayer for the Governorate, by which we feel protected.
All our craftwork is in olive wood. We sell these items, which can be seen on our website and also in the display at the monastery’s porter’s lodge.
On this note, during our recent meeting with Pope Leo, we gave him an icon of Christ Pantocrator created for him and crafted on olive wood.
On Thursday morning, July 31, the liturgical memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Richard Anthony D’Souza, S.J. as new Director of the Vatican Observatory. Fr. D'Souza has been serving at the Observatory as an astronomer for many years and he will begin his new role as Director on September 19, 2025.
More than a simple contribution, the mission of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is a true vocation. Providing the opportunity to restore, recover, preserve, and perpetuate the integrity of the artworks housed in the Vatican Museums is both a challenge and a life choice that involves each and every donor personally. This is certainly the case for the members of the Florida Chapter of the Patrons, who recently contributed to the restoration of twelve Roman statues and two sarcophagi displayed in the niches of the Atrium of the Quattro Cancelli. We discussed this in an interview on www.vaticanstate.va with Monsignor Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Office for Relations with the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.
The entire Church and the entire world are observing what is happening these days in the most famous and well-known chapel: the Sistine Chapel. To adapt it for the functions of the Conclave, not a single detail is left to chance. There is considerable expertise and professionalism behind its preparation, a monumental task requiring energy, organization and workers, including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, blacksmiths, constructors, fitters, upholsterers, cleaning staff – professional teams whose coordination is entrusted to the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services of the Governorate. Engineer Silvio Screpanti, Deputy Director of the Infrastructure Sector of the same Directorate, talks about it in this interview with www.vaticanstate.va
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Luigi Carbone, M.D. as the new Director of the Health and Hygiene department of Vatican City State, effective on August 1. He succeeds Professor Andrea Arcangeli, who has reached retirement age. This transition of department heads represents continuity at the helm of a Directorate that is a fundamental service for Vatican City.
More than 3,500 documents are digitized every month and almost 40,000 per year. This large bulk of work is managed by the General Protocol and Central Archive of the Governorate, a structure that plays a decisive role also in the transmission and consultation of documents, the sorting of internal and external correspondence and the preservation and protection of the historical memory of the Governorate. The managers of the General Protocol and Central Archive of the Governorate of Vatican City State, explain their work in the following interview.
A Vatican City State Delegation will participate in the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, (WTSA-24) from 15 to 24 October, and in the Global Standard Symposium (GSS-24) on 14 October. Both will take place in New Delhi. It will be an opportunity to evaluate developments in the technological, normative and organizational aspects of Vatican telecommunications. The WTSA and the GSS are organized by the ITU-T, that is, by the International Telecommunication Union -- Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, the ITU section responsible for regulating telephone and telegraphic telecommunications. We spoke about this with Mr. Luigi Salimbeni, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of Vatican City State, who will take part in the global Assembly.
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.
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