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Faced with the recent years’ changing habits in the use of communication and information technologies, the Governorate of Vatican City State, is updating and digitizing its communication.
As part of this process, it has opened an Instagram Account: Governatorato_SCV.
The account will mainly report on the activities of the governing bodies, namely the President, the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General, and of each Directorate. The most important information will be transmitted via audiovisual media.
A plaque honoring the renowned composer and organist Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, on the fifth centenary of his birth, has been unveiled on the façade of Palazzo San Carlo in Piazza di Santa Marta in Vatican City.
How can we make Artificial Intelligence worthy of its cost? This is the guiding question of “AI & Faith Dialogues”, an initiative born from the desire to open a space for dialogue between ethics, faith and technological innovation. A moment of collective reflection rooted in the Church’s Social Doctrine, it seeks to explore how AI can – or must – be placed at the service of human dignity.
The collaboration between Exelentia and the Governorate of the Vatican City State continues with the supply of compact electric vehicles for use by the Corps of the Gendarmerie and the Fire Brigade. These vehicles are intended for internal staff mobility, utility activities, and patrol and surveillance services.
"Cycling is as important a sport as any. So thank you for everything you do - you are truly exemplary! And I hope, as you well train your body, your spirit too will also be blessed and that you will be attentive always to the whole human being: body, mind, heart and spirit.
The Vatican Mint proudly celebrates an important international recognition: the 50-euro gold coin “War and Peace,” minted in 2024, has won the Best Gold Coin award at the 2025 COTY (Coin of the Year) Awards, announced on August 21 during the World’s Fair of Money in Oklahoma City, USA.
This success honours not only technical and artistic excellence, but also the strength of the universal message conveyed by the coin: the contrast between war and peace, rendered with great sensitivity by artist Chiara Principe, who has been collaborating with the Vatican since 2013 in the creation of coins and stamps on a wide variety of themes, always with outstanding results.
In 2025, the 75th anniversary of the solemn proclamation of the Dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated. To honor this significant event, the Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate has created a special commemorative issue that brings together art and faith for the collector.
On the occasion of the beginning of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, the Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of the Vatican City State has issued a special philatelic release composed of two commemorative covers, each adorned with thematic stamps and accompanied by a dedicated postal cancellation.
Our Lady of Altagracia has been protecting and accompanying the people of the Dominican Republic since 1514. A replica of the venerated image can also be found in the Vatican Garden’s Bastione Maestro. According to tradition, the image appeared on an orange tree. In memory of the Apparition and in an effort to strengthen the bond between Vatican City State and the faithful of the Caribbean nation, on Tuesday morning, 23 July, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State and Luis Emilio Montalvo Arzeno, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the Holy See, planted an orange tree in the Vatican Gardens. Salvatore Farina, Director of the Directorate for Infrastructures and Services, was also present at the tree planting event.
As part of the celebrations for the Jubilee Year 2025, the Governorate of Vatican City State and Hera Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch targeted initiatives for the sustainable management of waste produced within the Vatican territory, with a particular focus on plastic (PET) bottles.
Seventy five years ago, on 29 September 1949, Pius XII proclaimed Saint Michael Archangel, Protector of the People of God and victor of the fight between good and evil, the Patron Saint and protector of the Police. On the occasion of the liturgical feast of the Archangel, who is also the Patron Saint of the Gendarmerie Corps, on Sunday morning, 29 September, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, celebrated Holy Mass in the Vatican’s Church of Maria, Madre della Famiglia (Mary, Mother of the Family). Fr Luigi Trapelli, national coordinator of chaplains of the State Police and five chaplains concelebrated with him.
Perhaps not everyone knows that in the Vatican too, personal data is protected by law. On 30 April 2024, with Decree No. DCLVII, the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State promulgated its first General Regulation on the protection of personal data.
The appointment will be effective on 1 March.
Sr. Petrini’s appointment represents continuity, as she has been serving as Secretary General of the Governorate since 4 November 2021. Prior to that, she had served the Holy See as an Official of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Pope Francis has appointed the following as Secretaries General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, effective 1 March 2025: Archbishop Emilio Nappa, who has been serving as Assistant Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, and as President of the Pontifical Mission Societies; Mr. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi (lawyer), who has been serving as Deputy Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
Five hundred colored balloons made of natural rubber - all biodegradable, including the rope, expression of the vocation to protect creation of the Governorate - launched into the sky to express joy for meeting with Pope Francis. On each were impressed the words of the Pontiff: "To you, dear boy, to you, dear girl, you are precious in the eyes of God".
The Pope has decided that, as of 1 January 2025, permanent employees of the Governorate with large families, including three or more children, will receive a monthly bonus of 300 euros.
On Tuesday afternoon, 31 December 2024, Pope Francis visited the Nativity Scene from Grado, located in Saint Peter’s Square. Earlier, he had presided at First Vespers for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Te Deum hymn of thanksgiving for the conclusion of the year.
Around the world millions of viewers were glued to their televisions to watch the live broadcast of the moon landing of the Eagle lunar module from the Apollo 11 mission. About six hours later, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. He was the first man to do so. Buzz Aldrin followed him 19 minutes later. It was July 20, 1969—a date that marked a major milestone in the history of humanity.
A word of thanks to all present for their faithful participation and for all they do—sometimes with great sacrifice—to live united as a family, offering this message and thus witnessing in the spirit left to us by Jesus Christ.
Before a square filled with parents, grandparents, and children, Pope Leo XIV appeared at the main entrance of the Governorate building and expressed his joy at being able to share this special moment dedicated to the family. This was the highlight of the “Governorate Family Celebration,” which has now become an annual event for the Governorate’s employees. The Pope’s surprise appearance on Saturday evening, September 6, was met with applause and great enthusiasm from the families and especially the children. He emphasized the importance of gathering together to celebrate family bonds and offered affectionate words to the little ones. His message resonated with those present, drawing more applause.
Welcomed by a joyful crowd, Pope Leo XIV arrived on Sunday afternoon, July 6th, at the estate of Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, where he will stay until Sunday, July 20th.
Earlier that day, during the Angelus, before departing, the Holy Father had said: “This afternoon I will be going to Castel Gandolfo, where I plan to stay for a brief period of rest. I wish everyone the opportunity to enjoy a time of vacation to refresh both body and spirit.”
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