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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.”
Pope Leo XIV, through a Chirograph dated 1 June 2026, has established the Fratello Sole Foundation and approved its Statute. As the Pope writes in the Chirograph, “The Foundation represents a sign of hope for the future and an example of how it is possible to reconcile energy production and agriculture while respecting and protecting the environment, in accordance with the principles of environmental sustainability and care for our common home contained in the Encyclical Laudato si’, the Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, the Motu Proprio Fratello Sole and, more generally, in the social Magisterium of the Church.”
“The work you carry out each day certainly represents a discreet and precious service for the Pope’s apostolic mission. It is part of the complex activity of the Governorate and of the Directorate for Infrastructure and Services, which I commend for the diligent management of many responsibilities within the Vatican City State.”
“We want Jesus to be here with us! We will pray together” with “the prayer that Jesus taught us, with one voice.” These were the words of Pope Leo XIV to the participants of Estate Ragazzi [Summer Kids’ day camp] in the Vatican on Monday morning, June 22, in the Paul VI Audience Hall.
Published in the Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office, on Tuesday, 3 February, Pope Leo XIV appointed Sr. Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E.—President of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City—as a member of the Commission for Confidential Matters.
On Friday, September 5, Pope Leo XIV inaugurated the Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo. Present at the inauguration were Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate, along with the two Secretaries General, Archbishop Emilio Nappa and Atty. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi.
In a chirograph dated February 2, 2023, Pope Francis outlined the reasons that inspired the establishment of the Borgo Laudato Si’. In particular, he wrote that it was his intention to create “a tangible model of thought, structure and action,” to be called Borgo Laudato Si’. “A forum for dialogue and an example of change, this initiative will be located within the endowments, appurtenances and dependencies of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo (cf. Lateran Treaty, Annex II, 5), without in any way altering or modifying the overall nature of this property of the Holy See, as established by Article 14 of the Lateran Treaty (Annex II, 4) and defined by customs and various provisions of my Venerable Predecessors.”
The Pontiff went on to explain that “in order to animate the life and works of the Borgo Laudato Si’,” he was establishing the Centro di Alta Formazione Laudato Si’ (Laudato Si’ Center for Advanced Training) as “a scientific, educational and social organization, working for integral formation, with its registered office in Vatican City State and its main operational headquarters in the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo.”
He further decreed that the Centro di Alta Formazione Laudato Si’, under the jurisdiction of the Governorate of Vatican City State, would be governed by its “own Statutes,” which he simultaneously approved.
On Friday morning, 14 November, Pope Leo XIV inaugurated the San Martino Clinic, located beneath the Colonnade of St. Peter’s. This new facility expands the adjacent clinic dedicated to the Mother of Mercy, which has already been active for ten years.
"The more joy you share, the more joy you create, and in this way, through your pursuit of knowledge, each of you can contribute to building a more peaceful and just world."
Jim and Lia Farley donated a 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum AWD hybrid car to Pope Leo XIV. The Explorer is produced at Chicago Assembly Plant – the historic factory, opened in 1924 by Henry Ford, in the city where the Pope was born.
The idea to create two compact electric vehicles, designed to be easily transported by air on long-haul flights and to meet the highest safety standards, was born from a valuable and close collaboration with the Gendarmerie Corps of the Vatican City State, which oversaw and supported each phase of the project.
On the morning of Tuesday, July 15, Pope Leo XIV visited the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception of the Poor Clares in the little town of Albano, located within the territory of the Papal Villas.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday afternoon, May 19.
Upon his arrival, the Pope was welcomed by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Archbishop Emilio Nappa, and Attorney Giuseppe Puglisi, respectively President and Secretaries General of the Governorate of Vatican City State; by the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Jesuit Fr. Richard Anthony D’Souza; by the Deputy Director, Fr. Gabriele Gionti; and by the President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, Br. Guy Consolmagno.
In the heart of Albano, within the historic and faith-filled walls of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Rotonda, a day rich in spirituality, sharing, and closeness to the most vulnerable unfolded. On Sunday morning, August 17, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Eucharist together with people assisted by the local Caritas and its volunteers, transforming the city’s historic center into a lively place of encounter and fraternity.
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.
It was indeed a historic moment, for the first time ever the musical bands of the Corps of the Gendarmerie and the Pontifical Swiss Guard performed together. The concert, held in the presence of Pope Leo XIV, took place on the evening of Monday, September 29, in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, on the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, Patron of Vatican City State.
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