“Witnesses of Hope”

The Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems’ Post and Philately Service has launched a series of initiatives in preparation for Jubilee 2025, including the issue of four stamps dedicated to people whose exemplary lives and message of faith, have made them stand out as “witnesses of hope”, the opening of a new post office in Saint Peter’s Square and an increase in the number of current staff involved in the creation of new stamps. We spoke with Father Felice Bruno, Office Manager of the Post and Philately Service, about these news developments, in the following interview with www.vaticanstate.va.

The restoration of tunic, a treasure of the Sancta Sanctorum

A generous new contribution from the Illinois Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums has permitted the restoration of a tunic of the Sancta Sanctorum, which held the most ‘sacred’ relics of Christianity.

Father Sabino Maffeo, SJ, died peacefully on 21 January in the Jesuit Saint Peter Canisius Residence, in Rome’s Via dei Penitenziari, at the age of 102. He spent 87 of those as a member of the Society of Jesus.

Awareness and knowledge of resources and limitations

Twenty days from the entry into force of the Decree of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State on Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence, the Governorate is offering computer skills training courses.

The courses were organized thanks to the professional contribution of technicians from  the Information Systems Service and the Internet Service Provider of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems. They are aimed at employees of the Governorate and are structured with exams and assessments.

Assessment of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24)

Artificial Intelligence is both a challenge and an opportunity. However, there is the need to impose international standards in the ethical sphere, and to continue to promote universal connectivity and digital inclusion, so that no country, region or community will be left behind. These were some of the topics addressed during the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), held from 15 to 24 October 2024 in New Delhi, India. The Assembly was attended by a Vatican Delegation led by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, which included Antonino Intersimone and Luigi Salimbeni, respectively, Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, and Sergio Salvatori, technical officer of the Technological Department of the Dicastery for Communication.