The President of the Governorate and Vatican Delegation in Canada for the 42nd Meeting with Chapter Leaders of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums
Responding to times of transition while planning for the future
The annual International Meeting of Chapter Leaders of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums took place in Ottawa, Canada, from September 19 to 21. The delegation from Vatican City was led by Sr. Rafaella Petrini, President of the Governorate and Giuseppe Puglisi-Albrandi, Secretary General. Among other officials, Mons. Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums also attended.
Now in its 42nd year, Sr. Rafaella opened the meeting on September 20 with a speech recalling the Jubilee Year, the illness and death of Pope Francis, the election of Pope Leo XIV and the appointment of the new President and Secretaries General of the Vatican City State.
The year 2025, she said, continues to be a time of transition in Vatican City which nevertheless witnessed remarkable inter-departmental collaboration, with staff at all levels working together seamlessly during the entire transition to manage the multiple - at times urgent - and complex tasks. Sr. Raffaella expressed her appreciation in that the Governorate continues to demonstrate preparedness, coordination and prompt responses among its Governing Bodies and the various Directorates.
Regarding the impact and importance of the Patrons’ work for the Vatican Museums, Monsignor Terence Hogan discussed the critical need for donor support not only in the preservation of its multiple artistic collections, but also in promoting its unique cultural and spiritual heritage. It offers a source of knowledge, truth and spiritual fruits for pilgrims and visitors alike. As a result, in order to speak to multiple generations about the need for ongoing artistic conservation, and moreover with the advances in various means of social media, Patron Chapter leaders need to be engaged through “generational segmentation”, being aware of adaptive methodologies of communication that motivate donor contributions in relation to their generation - from printed materials and other such forms for “Baby Boomers” (60-80 yrs.) and “Generation X” (45-60 yrs.), to much greater digital involvement for “Millennials” (29-44 yrs.). Further discussion emphasized that donor preferences are often shaped by individual interests and personal priorities that influence their decisions on what project to adopt. In addition, in keeping with the history of the Patrons organization, various benefits of becoming a Patron were discussed that positively impact the donor in relation to the needs of the restoration and conservation of various projects presented by the museums.
In conclusion, every Chapter leader is tasked to be a significant bridge builder between the needs of the Vatican Museums and the individual donor. Contact and communications in its various forms are extremely important as is the timely collaboration between the Office of Relations with the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican. The Chapter leader focuses on forms and methods to recognize donor generosity and to maintain good communications with them.
Barbara Jatta, as Director of the Vatican Museums and Cultural Heritage, thanked all those present who have contributed to the overall success of the Vatican Museums, stressing the value of artistic patronage. Mentioning just a few of the most recent restorations such as Raphael’s Room of Constantine, the statue Apollo Belvedere, Bellini’s painting Lament over the Dead Christ, and the renovations of the Bramante Courtyard, she expressed to all the Patron Leaders her profound gratitude and appreciation. Other projects recently inaugurated, such as the collection of Micro Mosaics, displayed in the Galleries of the Vatican Library in the historic hall Sala Paolina II, are now open to the public, as well as the many exhibitions and concerts in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
Also present was the Deputy Director of the Vatican Museums’ administrative sector, Alberto Albanesi, who presented an overview of the various operational and financial challenges that the Museums continue to face and carefully explained the impact of the increased post-pandemic tourism, which required significant reforms to improve accessibility and usability within the galleries. At the same time, he pointed out that the Vatican Museums have launched major security and conservation projects (e. g. climate control and infrastructure) that include initiatives to enhance the visitor’s experience.
Finally, the Chapter leaders and the Vatican delegation had many conversations looking toward the future. This included important restoration and preservation projects that are specific to the Vatican Museums and the Vatican City State. Each project and its design will in some way continue the cultural, historical and faith tradition of the Vatican, but will include the prophetic vison found in Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato si’ emphasizing the care of all creation and further supported by the words and mission of Pope Leo XIV.
Following the business of the day, the Canada Patrons Chapter, who graciously arranged the many events of the weekend, hosted the Vatican Delegation along with the Patron Chapter Leaders to the National Gallery of Canada followed by Holy Mass on September 21 at the Apostolic Nunciature to Canada, celebrated by the Papal Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič.
