A masterwork of art and craftsmanship

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.

Patroness of Venezuela

A new Marian image has been placed on the walls of the Bastione di Maestro in the Vatican Gardens: Our Lady of Coromoto, Patroness of Venezuela.
In the inaugural ceremony held on the morning of Monday, October 20 — the day after the canonization of the first two Venezuelan Saints, José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles Martínez — the mosaic depicting Mary enthroned with the Child was unveiled and blessed.

The traditional Way of the Cross in the Vatican Gardens for employees of the Governorate, will take place during Holy Week, on Tuesday morning, 15 April at 8:15 a.m. The Way of the Cross will begin in the square in front of the Governorate and proceed towards the evocative backdrop of the Lourdes Grotto. Each station will be animated by a representative of each Directorate and Central Office, led by their respective Chaplains. The Via Crucis is organized by the Events Planning Office.

It will be an opportunity to share a moment of prayer in preparation for Easter, in accordance with Pope Francis’ words in his message for Lent 2025:

“God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs”.

On Tuesday, March 24, at 8:15 a.m., the traditional Way of the Cross will take place in the Vatican Gardens for the employees of the Governorate. The procession will depart from the Governorate entrance square and conclude in the Lourdes Grotto. Each station will be led, as customary, by a delegation from each Directorate and Central Office, guided by their respective chaplain. The event is organized by the Events Coordination office.

Tulips were planted in the Vatican Gardens on Tuesday morning, 22 October, in memory of Saint John Paul II, on the day of his liturgical memorial.

In line with the Encyclical Laudato si’

On the occasion of National Tree Day, Friday, 21 November, a Fraxinus ornus and a Fraxinus angustifolia—from which the traditional Madonie manna is obtained—were planted in the Vatican Gardens. Presiding over the ceremony was Archbishop Emilio Nappa, Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, who emphasized that planting new trees to keep creation alive and respect the environment is fully in line with the principles set out in Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato si’. “It is even more so,” he said, “when the plants in question have a clear biblical reference.”