In astronomy, beauty and joy meet: the signs of the presence of God. Knowing what beauty and joy mean allows you to recognize them even in prayer and thus understand what to look for in science. This was stated by the Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, former Director of the Vatican Observatory, from 2015 to September 19^th 2025, in this interview with vaticanstate.va.

Inspiration, study, technique and experience

For the first time in the history of the Vatican City State’s numismatic issues, the artistic and creative process behind a coin was carried out entirely on a computer, without using pencils, paper, or sculpting materials, but only the stylus of a graphic tablet.

New Issues Between Faith and Art

Anniversaries, major historical events, and liturgical celebrations—many occasions find their place in the stamp issue calendar of the Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate.

Between Passion and Professionalism

She was the first woman to work in the Paintings and Wooden Materials Restoration Laboratory of the Vatican Museums and, in 2017, appointed to head it as chief restorer. Officially retiring on August 1st she can now take stock of her successful career in one of the most prestigious restoration laboratories in the art world, where she worked for 35 years. In this interview with old.vaticanstate.va, Francesca Persegati retraces the history of the laboratory and shares some memorable challenges during her career.

Further Centuries of Artistic Splendor

The restoration of Raphael’s Loggia, the launch of the preliminary study program for the Sala dei Chiaroscuri, and, in the seventeenth-century sphere, a project to restore the entire Scala Regia—the monumental entrance to the Apostolic Palaces designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

These are some of the initiatives announced in this interview with Paolo Violini, who, as of August 1, is at the helm of Italy’s oldest most renowned restoration workshop: the Restoration Laboratory for Paintings and Wooden Material at the Vatican Museums. 

Not only science but qualified research at the service of the Church

On Thursday morning, July 31, the liturgical memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Richard Anthony D’Souza, S.J. as new Director of the Vatican Observatory. Fr. D'Souza has been serving at the Observatory as an astronomer for many years and he will begin his new role as Director on September 19, 2025.

Unceasing prayer for the Pope

At the heart of the Church, immersed in unceasing prayer for the Successor of Peter, following the way of life traced by Saint Clare of Assisi. This is the mission of the Poor Clares of the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception in Albano, a cenobitic community located in the splendid setting of the Papal Villas.

A New Collection of Herbal and Specialized Products

A tradition renewed, rooted in the very vocation of the Vatican Pharmacy: the preparation of herbal products. Just as in the past, when expert friars of the Order of St. John of God would provide healing herbal teas and infusions, today the Pharmacy’s professionals continue to produce, in their well-equipped laboratory, a wide range of natural health remedies.

By vocation and statute, at the service of the Pope

A team effort led primarily by the Directorate of the Pontifical Villas and involving all the Departments of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, everyone gave their utmost to offer Pope Leo XIV a peaceful period of rest at Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo. Dr. Andrea Tamburelli, Director of the Pontifical Villas, speaks about this in an interview for the Governorate’s website news: www.vaticanstate.va