The 2026 edition of the WSIS Forum, the United Nations' leading multilateral event dedicated to the information society, opens today in Geneva. The Forum is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD.

Completion of the restoration of the Hall of Constantine

After almost 10 years of restoration works, the Vatican Museum's Hall of Constantine was inaugurated during an official ceremony on Wednesday, 26 February. The ceremony was attended by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, Mr. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Deputy Secretary General, Barbara Jatta, Director of Museums and Cultural Heritage, Monsignor Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Office for Relations with the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, and Donna D’Urso, leader of the New York Chapter, accompanied by 25 members of the Patrons. The New York Chapter and the Eileen Carlson Estate financially supported the restoration, with a generous contribution. The massive restoration, which began in 2015, was one of the longest  projects to be funded, to date.

Wooden Lithuanian Cross replaced in Vatican Gardens

With a brief ceremony on Monday morning, 24 February, a restored Lithuanian wooden Cross was officially replaced in the Vatican Gardens. The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Lithuania to the Holy See, H.E. Ms. Sigita Maslauskaite-Mažiliene, accompanied by ChiefClerk, Elze Di Meglio. The Cross was restored by the Vatican Museums.

The ITU plenary assembly agrees on new initiatives

At the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25), the first results of the strategic objectives to catalyze collaboration and knowledge-sharing are taking shape, promoting innovation for a more inclusive digital future.

 Universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital future

is the motto of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25), which takes place from November 17 to 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in the ultra-modern Baku Convention Center, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations agency for telecommunications of which the Vatican City State is a member .

Placing the Human Person at the Center: Towards an Economy of Care and Dignity

In recent decades, two epochal events—the  global financial crisis in 2008 and the Covid-19 pandemic—have profoundly shaken the foundations of traditional economic models, clearly exposing their structural limitations. In this context, a reflection has gained renewed momentum across academic, political, and religious spheres: the urgent need to rethink the economy starting from the centrality of the human person, with his or her inviolable dignity and inherent fragility.

Spirituality and astronomy

“Spirituality and Astronomy 2024 -- ‘When They Saw the Star, They Rejoiced with Great Joy’” is the theme of a workshop that takes place from 30 August to 1 September at the Vatican Observatory headquarters. The workshop will include introductory lessons, moments of prayer and sharing, visits to telescopes and evenings dedicated to observing the skies. Participants will be accompanied by members of the Jesuit community, Vatican Observatory researchers, professors and amateur astronomers.

"This isn't the end; it's just the beginning," Angela Kopp said enthusiastically on the final full day of the 2026 ACME workshop. Ms. Kopp, a Science Specialist at Holy Cross Catholic School in Overland Park, KS, was one of 25 participants in at ACME--Astronomy for Catholics in Ministry and Education--a biennial weeklong seminar held at the Redemptorist Renewal Center outside of Tucson, AZ. This year's 25 participants included priests, a deacon, science teachers and catechists from around the country--and two from the United Kingdom. 

The Need for Dialogue in a Rapidly Changing World

At a pivotal moment in history, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Holy See’s presence and its openness to dialogue. This was the message conveyed in the address, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to the participants of the AI for Good Global Summit. The text was read by Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and Specialized Institutions in Geneva, Permanent Observer to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and Representative of the Holy See to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The Participation of the Vatican Delegation

Today, at the Palaexpo in Geneva, the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 Conference, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), officially began. The event will run for five days, concluding on Friday, July 11.

Pilgrimage of Hope, a journey through the Days of Consecrated Life

We took part in a World Day of Consecrated Life in Saint Peter’s for the first time in February 2024, when we first arrived at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery. The Day was presided by the Holy Father and shared with a large number of women and men religious. It was an experience of true ecclesial communion, which we lived with profound gratitude in our first year in the heart of the Church. The Pope’s words, that echoed in our hearts with renewed strength, made us better understand what the Church and the world expect from consecrated people, both from those who serve the Church in the ministry of prayer and daily dedication to a hidden and silent life, and those who have the very important mission of bringing the Gospel to all the peoples.