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With the official signing of the deed of gift for two new ambulances, the Governorate’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene is continuing its preparations for the upcoming Jubilee. The two emergency vehicles were donated by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and by the Futuro Salute ETS per nuovi modelli di welfare Foundation. The official ceremony took place on Friday morning, 22 November, at the Palace of the Governorate. The deed of gift was signed by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate, and by the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap, and the President of the Foundation, Mr. Roberto Favaretto.
The special “Marisa Bellisario” award, promoted by the Foundation that bears the same name, was conferred on Sister Raffaella Petrini. General Secretary of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
The award ceremony for the 36th edition was held in Rome on 14 June.
To remove surface deposits and restore the chromatic and luminous qualities intended by Michelangelo, the monumental fresco Last Judgment, preserved on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, will undergo extraordinary maintenance. For approximately three months, Michelangelo’s masterpiece will be the focus of a cleaning intervention.
On June 20, 2025 fun, excitement and joy were the feelings expressed by dozens of children on the opening day of Estate Ragazzi in the Vatican.
Many crowded into Paul VI Hall on Monday morning, June 16, to take part in this year’s edition of the Vatican summer day camp for children. For some, it was the very first time, for others it was returning to share with old friends. For everyone, it was a mix of excitement and curiosity.
The Christmas trees in Saint Peter’s Square and in the Pontifical Villas have something in common: smart lighting. LED lights that use patented technology for mappable have been customized to create complex and creative displays that recall the stars that lit up the night in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.
The Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of the Vatican City State has issued a special postal cancellation on the 225th anniversary of the dies natalis of Blessed Diego José de Cádiz, on Tuesday, March 24.
Over 700 people attended a concert by the Musical Band of the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City State, to celebrate the 1850th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Pontian, Patron Saint of Spoleto. Held on Saturday evening, 12 January, in the Umbrian town’s Teatro Nuovo “G. Menotti”, the concert was attended by Archbishop Renato Boccardo of Spoleto-Norcia, promoter of the event, and by civil and military authorities. The concert began with the Papal Anthem and concluded with the Italian National Anthem. The musicians were conducted by Maestro Stefano Iannilli, assisted by Mr. Mauro Colaiacomo, Deputy Commissioner of the Gendarmerie Corps, responsible for discipline and recruitment. The program included performances of the anthem for the 2025 Jubilee, by Sequeri, The Thieving Magpie, by Rossini, La Tregenda, from the opera Le Villi, Nessun Dorma, by Puccini, Ride of the Valkyries,by Wagner, Bugler’s Holiday,by Anderson, Viktor’s Tale from William’s film, The Terminal, the soundtrack of Metti una sera a cena, by Morricone and Modugno’s Nel blu dipinto di blu.
Katia Passerini is the 27th President of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. At her inauguration and the beginning of her mandate—held on the afternoon of Friday, September 26, at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane (Washington State)—Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, was present to deliver the Keynote Address in English, which we publish in full below, along with our Italian translation.
The Secretary General of the Governorate, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, has attended the 142nd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus, held in Québec City, Canada, from 6 to 8 August.
Among the many activities detailed in his annual report at the Convention, the Supreme Knight, Patrick E. Kelly, mentioned the Knights Of Columbus’ funding for the restoration of the bronze Baldachin in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage cooperates with the Fabric of Saint Peter in all diagnostic examinations and in the development of methods of intervention.
Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, will lead a State Delegation at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, from 15 to 24 October 2024. During the Assembly, which will meet after the Global Standard Symposium (GSS-24), which will take place on 14 October, Sr. Petrini will deliver an official address.
Strategies of hope and renewal “cannot avoid engaging with the reality of human work as a fundamental dimension of existence, through which men and women, even within ecclesiastical institutions, build their lives”, said Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, on Saturday morning, 4 January, during her address to the 34th Seminar for Theology Professors at the Spanish Pontifical College’s Casa San Juan Ávila, in Rome. The course addressed the theme: “Hope for a more humane economy? Between care and hospitality”.
"On Divine Mercy Sunday, we remember our beloved Pope Francis with affection. Indeed, such memories are particularly vivid among the employees and faithful of Vatican City, many of whom are present here, and whom I would like to thank for the service they perform every day. To you, to all of us, to the whole world, Pope Francis extends his embrace from Heaven". Thus Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Francis papacy, presided over the Eucharistic concelebration in suffrage of the Pope. The rite took place on Sunday morning, April 27, the Second of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday. About 200,000 people were present, including the employees of Vatican City and tens of thousands of adolescents who had come to Rome from all over the world with their parishes, schools and families for this day of the Jubilee dedicated to them.
The outline of the Cross, merged with the borders of Brazil. This is the image featured on the stamp dedicated to the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Federative Republic of Brazil. The stamp was promoted by the Postal and Philately Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate and was presented on afternoon, March 10, in the Conference Hall of the Vatican Museums.
“Around the World in 80 Days” is the theme of the seventh edition of the Vatican Summer Camp for Kids, which will take place from Monday, June 15 to Friday, July 31. Promoted by the Governorate of Vatican City State, the initiative is reserved for the children of employees of the Governorate and of the Holy See.
After expanding and upgrading its electric vehicle charging network, the Governorate has further advanced the “Ecological Conversion 2030” project, launched in line with the commitments made when the State of Vatican City acceded to the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Vatican City, July 2, 2025 – As part of the “Ecological Conversion 2030” project, launched by the Governorate following the commitments undertaken when the Vatican City State joined the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Governorate continues its strong commitment to more sustainable mobility.
In alignment and continuity with the recent installation and activation of a new network of electric vehicle charging stations within the State—implemented to promote a real transition to low-emission transport options and made accessible to employees of both the Holy See and the Vatican City State—the Governorate has signed several agreements with leading automobile manufacturers.
Vatican City, June 30, 2025 – The Governorate continues to advance its commitment to more sustainable mobility.
TESTAMENT OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
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Miserando atque Eligendo
In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my final wishes regarding my burial place.
I have always entrusted my life and priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest, awaiting the day of resurrection, in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
In honour of the first Pope, the Garden and Environment Service of the Governorate of Vatican City State’s Directorate for Infrastructures and Services, has renewed a tradition that dates back to the end of the 18th century, and has not been resumed since 2017.
Traditionally, the so-called “Nassa del Pescatore” (fisherman’s trap) was hung on the two white columns made of African marble of the central gate of the Vatican Basilica, until the evening before the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, to recall the Prince of the Apostles’ profession.
Sixty rose bushes were planted in the Rose Garden of the Vatican Gardens to commemorate the 190th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Colombia (1835–2025).
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