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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.
A visit to the Sistine Chapel, in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, is an experience that millions of people would like to have at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, for those who live thousands of kilometers away from Rome, this is not always possible.
“In a particular way during this Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind.” This was the message of Pope Leo XIV to the Knights of Columbus, gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 143rd Supreme Convention, held from August 4 to 7.
Sixty rose bushes were planted in the Rose Garden of the Vatican Gardens to commemorate the 190th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Colombia (1835–2025).
The 28th Universal Postal Congress, the supreme decision-making body of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)—a United Nations agency that coordinates and regulates the global postal system—is currently taking place in Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
Among the participants is Vatican City State, represented by an official delegation led by Antonino Intersimone, Director of the Directorate of Telecommunications and IT Services, accompanied by Fr. Felice Bruno (FDP), Head of the Vatican Post and Philately Service, and Vincenzo Marrese.
Ninety years since their construction, the astronomical domes of the Pontifical Palace of Castel Gandolfo will be open to visitors for the first time ever. Visitors will be able to see the Vatican Observatory’s two perfectly functioning domes: the “major dome”, which has a diameter of 8.5 meters, and is equipped with a Visual Telescope for the observation of stars and planets; and the “minor dome”, which has a diameter of 8 metres and a Double Astrograph, used for photographic surveys of the sky and of the position of the stars. A restricted number of visitors wil
From Vatican City through the Arco delle Campane and St. Peter’s Square, the musical marching band of the Gendarmerie Corps paraded to Piazza Risorgimento as part of its participation in the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment which took place on May 10 and 11. On Sunday afternoon, May 11, the band then held a concert in Piazza Risorgimento square outside of the Vatican walls, performing a variety of melodies among which the papal anthem, the Jubilee anthem and the Italian national anthem to hundreds of visitors and pilgrims in the square.
On Wednesday afternoon, May 28, the Belgian Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums began their annual visit with the celebration of the Holy Mass in the Church of Mary, Mother of the Family in the Vatican Governorate. The Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Office for Relations with the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.
Their life and their work
In response to an invitation by the Holy Father, as of January 2024, the Benedictine nuns of the Abbey of Santa Scolastica in Argentina have resumed their ministry of prayer, adoration, lauds and reparations at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, in the Vatican Gardens, to support the Holy Father in his daily care for the whole Church.
Christmas music, melodies and lights brightened the darkness of the night. The much-anticipated moment has arrived, when people can admire the nativity scene and see the Christmas tree lights in Saint Peter’s Square. Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga and Sr. Raffaella Petrini, respectively, President and Secretary General, of the Governorate of Vatican City State, inaugurated the nativity scene from Grado and lit the 29-metre red fir Christmas tree, from Ledro, during a ceremony on Saturday evening, 7 December before a crowd of people.
Epiphany is a celebration for adults and children, alike. On Saturday afternoon, 4 January, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, celebrated Holy Mass in the Church of Maria, Madre della Famiglia (Mary, Mother of the Family), to come together and share the joy of the arrival of the Magi with their gifts. Fr. Franco Fontana, Chaplain of the Directorate of Security and Civil Protection Services and of the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage, concelebrated the celebration, along with the Cardinal. Among those present, were Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, Mr. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Deputy Secretary General, and Mr. Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti and Mr. Davide Giulietti, respectively, Director and Deputy Director, of the Directorate of Security and Civil Protection Services.
Saint Barbara, a martyr, is not only the protector of the Fire Brigade but also a model to be emulated for her virtues and her example of faith. This was emphasized by Father Franco Fontana, chaplain of the Directorate of Security Services and Civil Protection and of the Vatican Museums, during the Mass celebrated in the Church of San Pellegrino in the Vatican on Thursday morning, December 4, on the Saint’s feast day.
“Why Do We Look Up?: An Astronomer's Reflection on the Universe and the Call to Study It”, is the title of a lecture by Jesuit Brother, Guy Consolmagno, Director of the Vatican Observatory, held on Wednesday, 20 November, at the Von Hügel Institute for Critical Catholic Inquiry at St. Edmund’s College, Cambridge.
“Music at the Museums”, a series of concerts organized by the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage, will begin on 27 February and continue until 22 November. Concerts will be held at the Vatican Museums and at the Castel Gandolfo Museum Complex.
On 10 September, two young students from Villanova University, Pennsylvania, began an internship at the Internet Service Provider Office of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems and at the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage.
The new website www.villepontificie.va is online today.
As a further step in the field of communication and information, the Pontifical Villas has launched its first ever website. The opening of the Instagram profile on April 9th also fits into this context.
In the beginning, it was called “Annona e Grascia”, and it functioned as a tribunal within the papal administration, responsible for overseeing matters related to food supplies.
On January 22, 1588, Pope Sixtus V, through the Bull Immensa Aeterni Dei, established fifteen permanent Congregations—some newly created, others confirmed or reformed. One of these was the Congregation for the Abundance of the Papal States (Pro ubertate annonae Status Ecclesiastici). It consisted of five Cardinals and was tasked with ensuring the provisioning of foodstuffs.
Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, on Wednesday morning, March 4, received Doris Schmidauer, wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, on a courtesy visit.
The floral emblem of Pope Leo XIV has been completed in the Vatican Gardens, located on the upward slope from the apse of St. Peter's Basilica, right in front of the Governorate building.
Hundreds of colored plants, like so many mosaic pieces, have made a beautiful work of floral art possible. Like the previous emblems, it will be admired every year by thousands of people from an exceptional observation point: the top of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
The Garden and Environment Service of the Governorate of Vatican City State has prepared and installed the floral decoration that adorns the Holy Door. With great skill and passion, eight members of staff decorated the famous Door, through which millions of pilgrims will walk, in the course of the Holy Year.
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