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On Thursday 20 November, the Seminar on the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons in the Vatican begins in the church of Mary, Mother of the Family at the Governorate, with a Holy Mass celebrated by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro.
Sister Raffaella Petrini, General Secretary of the Governorate of Vatican City State, has received an honorary degree in human sciences from Seton Hall University. The official ceremony took place during the 168th Commencement ceremony on Tuesday, 21 May, in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA.
La Direzione dei Servizi di Sicurezza e Protezione Civile del Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano e l’Agenzia per la cybersicurezza nazionale della Repubblica Italiana (Acn) hanno siglato un Protocollo d’intesa sullo scambio informativo, le attività di formazione e i progetti di cybersicurezza per incrementare le capacità e competenze tecniche e scientifiche in materia di prevenzione del rischio legato alla criminalità nel cyberspazio.
The Directorate of Security and Civil Protection Services of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State and the Agency for National Cybersecurity of the Italian Republic (ACN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the exchange of information, Training activities and cyber security projects to enhance technical and scientific skills and expertise in the prevention of cyber-crime risk.
With the official signing of the deed of gift for two new ambulances, the Governorate’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene is continuing its preparations for the upcoming Jubilee. The two emergency vehicles were donated by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and by the Futuro Salute ETS per nuovi modelli di welfare Foundation. The official ceremony took place on Friday morning, 22 November, at the Palace of the Governorate. The deed of gift was signed by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate, and by the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap, and the President of the Foundation, Mr. Roberto Favaretto.
Among the initiatives organized for the centenary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Panama is also the issue of a stamp produced by the Post and Philately Service and the Governorate of Vatican City State.
A reproduction of the stamp was symbolically unveiled by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, General Secretary of the Governorate and by the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the Holy See, H.E. Ms. Miroslava Rosas Vargas.
The unveiling ceremony took place on Wednesday evening, 21 August, in Rome’s Basilica of San Lorenzo in Damaso in the Palazzo della Cancelleria.
Among those present, were Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Father Agustín Hernández Vidales, OFM, Rector Magnificent of the Pontifical Antonianum University.
At the end of the ceremony, Fr Antonio Pelayo Bombín, counsellor for Church affairs at the Embassy of Spain to the Holy See, presented a large volume titled, “Republic of Panama – Holy See 1923-2023, which retraces 100 years of diplomatic relations.
Earlier, Cardinal Parolin had celebrated Mass, to farewell outgoing Ambassador, H.E. Ms. Miroslava Rosas Vargas.
The following is the speech delivered by Sister Raffaella Petrini on the occasion:
I greet H.E. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, all the Authorities present, and in particular, H.E. Ms. Miroslava Rosas Vargas, Ambassador of Panama.
Today, we are sharing a moment of thanksgiving for the intense work you have undertaken in these years, whose fruits I am happy to say, include collaboration with the Governorate, thanks to which, 100 years of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Panama, have also been sealed philatelically, with the issue of the stamp we will soon unveil.
Initiatives such as these help to raise interest in the larger public of collectors, but also to highlight the feeling of friendship that marks relations between the two States. And this is the message that we wished to convey in the image of the two flags converging towards a reassuring and well-wishing bright background.
Indeed, the solidity of the bond between the Holy See and the Republic of Panama was mentioned several times by Supreme Pontiffs in these 100 years, which Benedict XVI described as “constant and fruitful”, and thanks to which the work of the Church and of the State “converge” like our flags depicted here, “in seeking the common good of the same citizens, placing themselves at the service of their personal and social vocations” (Discourse of 30 October 2009).
In 1947, Pius XII, referring to the creation of the first diocese on the mainland of the New World - Santa Maria la Antigua (Saint Mary the Ancient) – had described Panama as “the first place on the American continent where an evangelizing plant had been placed (…) to give to the New World what is best and most divine of the Old World, a message of peace and love from our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Discourse of 11 October 1947).
More recently, Pope Francis, who had just returned from a trip to Panama for World Youth Day, said he had met a “noble people And nobility is not bought, it is generated, it is inherited, it is breathed, it is lived” (13 June 2019).
I would like to express my sincere admiration for the people you represent. I renew my best wishes for an ever fruitful work in favour of your country and assure you that I will remember you in my prayers.
Thank you.
The special “Marisa Bellisario” award, promoted by the Foundation that bears the same name, was conferred on Sister Raffaella Petrini. General Secretary of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
The award ceremony for the 36th edition was held in Rome on 14 June.
On June 20, 2025 fun, excitement and joy were the feelings expressed by dozens of children on the opening day of Estate Ragazzi in the Vatican.
Many crowded into Paul VI Hall on Monday morning, June 16, to take part in this year’s edition of the Vatican summer day camp for children. For some, it was the very first time, for others it was returning to share with old friends. For everyone, it was a mix of excitement and curiosity.
The Christmas trees in Saint Peter’s Square and in the Pontifical Villas have something in common: smart lighting. LED lights that use patented technology for mappable have been customized to create complex and creative displays that recall the stars that lit up the night in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.
Over 700 people attended a concert by the Musical Band of the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City State, to celebrate the 1850th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Pontian, Patron Saint of Spoleto. Held on Saturday evening, 12 January, in the Umbrian town’s Teatro Nuovo “G. Menotti”, the concert was attended by Archbishop Renato Boccardo of Spoleto-Norcia, promoter of the event, and by civil and military authorities. The concert began with the Papal Anthem and concluded with the Italian National Anthem. The musicians were conducted by Maestro Stefano Iannilli, assisted by Mr. Mauro Colaiacomo, Deputy Commissioner of the Gendarmerie Corps, responsible for discipline and recruitment. The program included performances of the anthem for the 2025 Jubilee, by Sequeri, The Thieving Magpie, by Rossini, La Tregenda, from the opera Le Villi, Nessun Dorma, by Puccini, Ride of the Valkyries,by Wagner, Bugler’s Holiday,by Anderson, Viktor’s Tale from William’s film, The Terminal, the soundtrack of Metti una sera a cena, by Morricone and Modugno’s Nel blu dipinto di blu.
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.
The Secretary General of the Governorate, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, has attended the 142nd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus, held in Québec City, Canada, from 6 to 8 August.
Among the many activities detailed in his annual report at the Convention, the Supreme Knight, Patrick E. Kelly, mentioned the Knights Of Columbus’ funding for the restoration of the bronze Baldachin in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage cooperates with the Fabric of Saint Peter in all diagnostic examinations and in the development of methods of intervention.
Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, will lead a State Delegation at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, from 15 to 24 October 2024. During the Assembly, which will meet after the Global Standard Symposium (GSS-24), which will take place on 14 October, Sr. Petrini will deliver an official address.
Strategies of hope and renewal “cannot avoid engaging with the reality of human work as a fundamental dimension of existence, through which men and women, even within ecclesiastical institutions, build their lives”, said Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, on Saturday morning, 4 January, during her address to the 34th Seminar for Theology Professors at the Spanish Pontifical College’s Casa San Juan Ávila, in Rome. The course addressed the theme: “Hope for a more humane economy? Between care and hospitality”.
"On Divine Mercy Sunday, we remember our beloved Pope Francis with affection. Indeed, such memories are particularly vivid among the employees and faithful of Vatican City, many of whom are present here, and whom I would like to thank for the service they perform every day. To you, to all of us, to the whole world, Pope Francis extends his embrace from Heaven". Thus Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Francis papacy, presided over the Eucharistic concelebration in suffrage of the Pope. The rite took place on Sunday morning, April 27, the Second of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday. About 200,000 people were present, including the employees of Vatican City and tens of thousands of adolescents who had come to Rome from all over the world with their parishes, schools and families for this day of the Jubilee dedicated to them.
After expanding and upgrading its electric vehicle charging network, the Governorate has further advanced the “Ecological Conversion 2030” project, launched in line with the commitments made when the State of Vatican City acceded to the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Vatican City, July 2, 2025 – As part of the “Ecological Conversion 2030” project, launched by the Governorate following the commitments undertaken when the Vatican City State joined the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Governorate continues its strong commitment to more sustainable mobility.
In alignment and continuity with the recent installation and activation of a new network of electric vehicle charging stations within the State—implemented to promote a real transition to low-emission transport options and made accessible to employees of both the Holy See and the Vatican City State—the Governorate has signed several agreements with leading automobile manufacturers.
Vatican City, June 30, 2025 – The Governorate continues to advance its commitment to more sustainable mobility.
TESTAMENT OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
__________________
Miserando atque Eligendo
In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my final wishes regarding my burial place.
I have always entrusted my life and priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest, awaiting the day of resurrection, in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
In honour of the first Pope, the Garden and Environment Service of the Governorate of Vatican City State’s Directorate for Infrastructures and Services, has renewed a tradition that dates back to the end of the 18th century, and has not been resumed since 2017.
Traditionally, the so-called “Nassa del Pescatore” (fisherman’s trap) was hung on the two white columns made of African marble of the central gate of the Vatican Basilica, until the evening before the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, to recall the Prince of the Apostles’ profession.
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