The new app for learning about the Governatorate

It is aimed at everyone interested in following the life and institutional activities of the State of Vatican City through an official, direct and reliable channel of information. This is the new app launched last January 3 to make the contents of the institutional website www.vaticanstate.va more accessible on mobile devices. Engineer Luigi Calcagni, Head of the Internet Service Provider Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, explains this in an interview with www.vaticanstate.va.

The participation of the Governorate’s Delegation at WTDC-25

A Delegation of the Governorate of Vatican City State took part in the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 29 November 2025. Promoted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)—of which the State of Vatican City is a member—the United Nations agency for telecommunications, the conference adopted the motto “Universal, meaningful and affordable connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital future.”

In this interview with www.vaticanstate.va, Engineer Luigi Salimbeni, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, takes stock of the meeting.

The Parapharmacy Celebrates Its First Year 

Placing the person at the center of care and attention as a true mission —with a welcoming spirit of fraternity— in keeping with the charism of Saint John of God. These are the values that inspire the work of the parapharmacy ahop, which is celebrating its first year of opening in the Braccio di Carlo Magno in St. Peter’s Square. Brother Binish Thomas Mulackal, Director of the Vatican Pharmacy, speaks about it in this interview with www.vaticanstate.va.

A Message of Peace/p> 

A message of peace, fraternity, and harmony comes from the Nativity scene set up this year in St Peter’s Square. Its creation was a collective effort by the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno. Representing the entire local community it offers figures of holiness through its art, its agricultural products, its traditions and its various cultural expressions.

International cooperation in the spotlight

In recent years the Customs Services of the Governorate have undertaken a process of modernization and innovation to align with today’s challenges. Thus, the Protocol of Cooperation between the Vatican City State and the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) was signed to established a coordinated system of controls and information exchange with Italy. We spoke about this with Gianni Lasaracina, Head of the Customs Services of the Governorate, who explained its strategic role and functions in this interview for old.vaticanstate.va.

In Memory of Saint Alphonsus de’ Liguori

An entire diocese, with all the components of its community, is mobilizing to create and set up the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square for Christmas 2025. It is the southern Italian Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, within whose territory stands the basilica that houses the mortal remains of Saint Alphonsus de’ Liguori, author of the famous Italian Christmas carol Tu scendi dalle stelle.

The Christmas Tree as “Ambassador” of the Territory

An “ambassador” of its homeland, of its culture and of the faith of the people of Lagundo and the Val d’Ultimo—and of the entire Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. This is what the Christmas tree, the spruce that this year is being gifted to Pope Leo XIV to be displayed in St. Peter’s Square, represents. 

Focus on Recycling and Energy Consumption

The internal Vatican store reopens under the Tigre-Annona brand, bringing many new features. Chief among them are extended opening hours, a commitment to offering the lowest price every day, special attention to recycling and energy saving, and the introduction of new technologies such as a dedicated App.
Nicola Francescucci, Deputy Director for Economic Activities in the Directorate of Economy of the Governorate of Vatican City State, discusses these developments in this interview with vaticanstate.va.

Fifty building sites underway

There is no doubt that the prestigious palaces, structures and buildings of the Vatican require constant conservation work and, at times, more substantial interventions. This was the case for the barracks of the Gendarmerie and the Pontifical Swiss Guards at Castel Gandolfo, but also for the installation of photovoltaic roofing over the Courtyard of the Corazze at the Vatican Museums and on the Vignaccia warehouse in the Vatican Gardens. All of this falls under the responsibility of the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services of the Governorate of Vatican City State, as explained in this interview with vaticanstate.va by its Director, Engineer Salvatore Farina.