Per la prima volta, in quasi novanta anni dalla loro costruzione, le cupole astronomiche del Palazzo Pontificio di Castel Gandolfo aprono le porte ai visitatori. Si tratta di due osservatori astronomici perfettamente funzionanti della Specola Vaticana: la “cupola maggiore” dal diametro di 8,5 metri, dotata di Telescopio Visuale, per l’osservazione delle stelle e dei pianeti; e la “cupola minore”, dal diametro di 8 metri, con il Doppio Astrografo,utilizzato per i rilievi fotografici del cielo e della posizione degli astri.

“Tonight too, we are gathered in prayer for the Holy Father and his intentions, in particular for peace and good in the world and for the sanctification of the Church”, said Archbishop Emilio Nappa, Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, as he presided over the Rosary for Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Square, on Saturday morning, 15 March.

A Series of Lectures on Vatican City State Law

A series of lectures on Vatican City State Law, promoted by the Pontifical Lateran University’s Faculty of Civil Law and coordinated by Professor Carni, is scheduled to begin on 24 February. During the course, several law professors and legal experts will deliver lectures. Professor Carni will deliver the first lecture, which will be an introduction to the history of Vatican Law.

È stata benedetta dal Cardinale Rolandas Makrickas, Arciprete coadiutore della Basilica papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, la lignea Croce lituana, collocata nei Giardini Vaticani.

The six Benedictine nuns who reside in the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery have been praying for Pope Francis’ recovery, ever since he entered Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

During a ceremony on Monday morning, 3 March, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major blessed a wooden Lithuanian Cross in the Vatican Gardens.

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.

A sign of friendship between the Vatican and Guatemala

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State and President of the Governorate, has been awarded with the highest national honour of Guatemala, the Order of the Quetzal. The award ceremony was held on Thursday morning, 20 June, in the Palace of the Governorate. Guatemalan Minister, Ambassador Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado, and Alfredo Vásquez Rivera, Ambassador of Guatemala to the Holy See, attended the ceremony as representatives of the Guatemalan government.

Act of Entrustment to Mary

A Korean presence in the Vatican Gardens to implore Mary for universal peace is the hope with which a mosaic of Our Lady of Peace Korean was blessed in the Vatican Gardens. The ceremony took place on Friday afternoon, 20 September, during the liturgical memorial of the Martyrs, Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon, the first ordained priest of Korea, Saint Paul Chông Hasang and their companions.

With friendship and cooperation

He was known to everyone as “Father Fernando”, as he had not yet been created Cardinal. The then Father Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, joined the Directorate of Telecommunications, now known as the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, as Director in January 2008.

Remembering this bond, the employees and managers of the Directorate wished to greet him, by sharing a Eucharist celebration, on Thursday morning, 27 March, at the Governorate’s Church of Mary, Mother of the Family, presided by the Cardinal.

We are all chosen by God, like Mary

“We too, like Mary, were chosen by God to embody his kindness, his tenderness, his mercy. He needs our hands to continue his work and our lips to announce his message”, highlighted Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, on Friday morning, 20 December, as he celebrated Holy Mass for Vatican employees at the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica, in preparation for the Solemnity of Christmas.

In continuity and harmony, at the service of the Successor of Peter

Sometimes words alone are not enough to express what one feels within, when one’s service to the Pope, to the Hoy See and to the Governorate ends, after 53 years. The farewell becomes imbued with feelings, memories and affection, as occurred during the farewell ceremony of Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate, until 28 February. Having completed his 80th birthday, he wished to step down by celebrating Holy Mass on Monday morning, 3 March, in the Church of Mary, Mother of the Family.

Like many small flames before the Heart of Mary

Hundreds of tiny flames, like many pleas brought before the Heart of Mary so they may reach her Son’s Heart, lit a long procession through the Vatican Gardens on Friday evening, 31 May. The procession ended at the Grotta di Lourdes. A large number of faithful participated in the recital of the Rosary, surrounded by the light of the flambeaux, and listened to the concluding reflection of Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

The profession of faith and the oath of fidelity are two important events in the lives of the employees of the Governorate, which occur after they are hired  on a trial basis. Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, presided at the so-called swearing ceremony on Thursday morning, 13 February, in the Governorate’s Church of Mary, Mother of the Family. Also present were Sister Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, and a number of Directors.

The Magnificat according to Blessed Cardinal Pironio

The mystery of Mary is a mystery of “spoliation and annihilation, of hiddenness and littleness, of humility and service”, said Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, presiding over day 7 of the Immaculate Conception Novena, on Thursday evening, 5 December, in Rome’s Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles. A Eucharistic Concelebration was celebrated in the Basilica cared for by the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, prior to the recital of the Rosary and the litanies.

I will remember you in my prayers and in the sacrifice of Mass

On Friday morning, 21 February, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, presided at Holy Mass for the employees of the Directorate for Infrastructures and Services. He made two promises: “I will carry you in my heart” and “I will remember you in my prayers and in the daily sacrifice of Mass”.

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and H.E. Ms. María Isabel Celaá Diéguez, Ambassador of Spain to the Holy See, will inaugurate an exhibition titled, “Bernini’s Souls” at the Pinacoteca of the Vatican Museums on Tuesday, 19 November.

Nel mistero della Visitazione, la gioia di Elisabetta per la presenza di Gesù, si trasforma in annuncio di salvezza in Maria. Una riflessione che accompagna i fedeli nel cammino dell’Avvento, a pochi giorni dalla solennità del Natale. L’hanno potuta ascoltare i dipendenti della Direzione di Sanità e Igiene del Governatorato, partecipando alla Messa, celebrata, sabato pomeriggio, 21 dicembre, nella chiesa di Maria, Madre della Famiglia, dal Cardinale Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, Presidente del Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano.

Il Cardinale Fernando Vérgez Alzaga e Sr. Raffaella Petrini, rispettivamente Presidente e Segretario Generale del Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, inaugureranno il Presepe e illumineranno l’albero di Natale, allestiti in Piazza San Pietro. La cerimonia si svolgerà, sabato 7 dicembre, alle ore 18.30.

Accessible to holders of “employee” and “services” badges

Work has begun on the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles and plug-in electric vehicles in the Vatican car park (Petriano). Ten charging stations with 20 ports will be available for “fast” charging, while an additional charging station with two ports for “ultra-fast” charging, will be installed beside the entrance to the Paul VI Hall. The installation of the charging stations is expected to be completed within three months, and be operational by the beginning of the Jubilee year.