An interview with Mr. Antonino Intersimone, Director of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems

A New Post Office in Saint Peter’s Square

Security, sustainability and accessibility were the guiding principles that inspired the decision to set up a new post office in Saint Peter’s Square. It will be inaugurated on 19 December, and will replace the old mobile post office which “went into retirement” on 5 December. The new prefabricated facility was built specifically to be easily dismantled and reused, as Mr. Antonino Intersimone, Director of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, explains in the following interview. The post office is not permanently fixed to the Square, and will be located in the same spot as the previous mobile post office. In line with environmental sustainability standards, its floor, load-bearing structure and furniture are made entirely from wood.

To whom is the new post office in Saint Peter’s Square aimed, and what will it offer?

The new post office in Saint Peter’s Square has the aim of meeting the needs of pilgrims and visitors who will visit the Square and wish to share the joy of their experience by sending a letter or a postcard to their loved ones.

We know that the quick snap of an image via a smartphone and its immediate sharing are now part of our daily life. On the other hand, the pleasure of sending a written communication is very different and still fascinating. In a society that is evermore marked by speed, it is a sign of attention to the recipients.

Moreover, the post office will not use franking machines, but actual stamps, which have symbolic and communicative significance, which in our case, reflect Christian culture, history and identity.

Why was the old mobile post office replaced and what does this new facility mean for your Directorate?

The old mobile post office was a trailer in use by Poste Italiane from 1999 onwards, before it was given to the Vatican Postal Service. After 25 years of intense use, its exterior and interior were beginning to show signs of aging and it was no longer able to guarantee the required standards of security and accessibility. Meanwhile, the new facility was planned and designed according to modern parameters, and is one of the most visible examples of the renewal we are implementing throughout the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, placing great attention on security, sustainability and accessibility.  

When was a post office first established in Saint Peter’s Square, and how did it come about?

The new post office will be operational from the day of its inauguration, on 19 December. It will be located in the same spot as the previous office, which was opened on 20 December 2010. Throughout these years, the office was used both by regular customers and by pilgrims and tourists. The number of regular customers gradually decreased, while the number of pilgrims and tourists using the services of the post office increased.

Can you provide some specific numbers in terms of the products the office will sell?

Over the years, there has been an interesting trend in sales at the post office in Saint Peter’s Square. The most significant figures are the sales of cards and stamps. In 2023, more than 30,000 postcards and the same number of stamps were sold and sent to various parts of the world. More than 9,000 philatelic folders and other philatelic products were sold in 2023. We estimate that by the end of 2024, we will have sold 10 percent more products than in 2023.

Can you provide some details on the office’s construction, and whether it is a permanent structure fixed to the Square? Was sustainability considered in its construction?

The prefabricated facility was built to be easily dismantled and reused. It is not permanently fixed to the Square, and is located in the same spot as the previous office. Its circular shape was chosen to mirror the dimensions of the area occupied by the pre-existing office with a diameter that replicates the length of the old mobile post office. The floor, load-bearing structure and furniture are all made out of wood, selected to reduce environmental impact in every phase of construction.

This includes the initial construction and all activities linked to assembling, dismantling re-assembling and final disposal, in order to guarantee a sustainable and respectful approach to the environment. Moreover, the new facility was designed to be accessible to people with disabilities, with particular attention to ensure its spaces can be used by everyone. It is a project that looks to the future in a more functional and ecological way. In short, it is an example of architecture that can be dismantled without leaving a trace, like a leaf that falls in the autumn.

Is the new post office too big or too tall for the size of the Square?

The new post office was designed with great attention, respecting the proportions and architectural characteristics of the context into which it is inserted. Its size is adequate in responding efficiently to the needs of a modern service, capable of dealing with the flow of customers we are expecting, without compromising its function and use. The facility was designed to provide a harmonious visual impact in balance with the surrounding area.

Special attention was also given to the interior of the post office, with the goal of providing a comfortable place for customers and employees. With the intention of making it a pleasant experience, it was designed with innovative features that improve the experience, such as natural lighting, a functional design and waiting areas. Moreover, it was designed to be pleasing to the eye, with modern and attentive design that enhances the spaces create a welcoming and pleasant visit. In this way, the new post office will be both a reference point because of its service and a structure with aesthetic value.

Millions of pilgrims are expected to visit during the Jubilee. How is the service organized?

We have a total of three post offices available to the public: one in the Square, one in the Charlemagne Wing and one inside the Vatican Museums. With the expected increase in visitors, we are committed to ensuring the opening of all these facilities to provide the best possible service to customers. With the aim of achieving this objective, we are increasing the number of employees who work at the counters and those in the back office, to ensure a smooth experience and reduction in waiting times.

Our commitment is not limited to providing a high quality service to customers. We greatly value the wellbeing of our employees, which is why, in addition to guaranteeing instruments and resources, we are also committed to avoiding overworking our staff and ensuring a fair distribution of shifts. We aim to provide a positive work environment that fosters involvement and satisfaction, with the aim of reducing any unnecessary fatigue or stress to a minimum, because we believe that excellence can only be achieved in an environment  that is respectful and stimulating in every sense.