Pope Francis has set his sights on a sustainable future for Vatican City, announcing plans to power the micro-state entirely with solar energy. This ambition is detailed in a letter entitled ‘Brother Sun,’ which outlines the pontiff’s vision for a greener Vatican.
To achieve this goal, solar panels will be installed on a Vatican-owned property located approximately 11 miles outside of Rome, in the area of Santa Maria di Galeria. This property is currently used for broadcasting Vatican Radio. The generated power is expected to meet all of Vatican City’s energy needs.
In his letter, Pope Francis emphasizes the urgency of transitioning to a sustainable development model that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for climate neutrality. He underscores the importance of solar energy as a key solution in combating climate change, stating that humanity possesses the necessary technological means to address this challenge and its associated ethical, social, economic, and political consequences.
This latest initiative builds on Pope Francis’ longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship. In 2015, he issued the encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, which highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change and called for a renewed dialogue on the future of the planet. He emphasized the scientific consensus regarding climate warming, rising sea levels, and the increase in extreme weather events.
The Vatican’s commitment to climate action was further solidified in July 2022 when it joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a global agreement aimed at addressing human-induced climate change. The installation of solar panels on Vatican property represents a concrete step towards achieving this goal and demonstrating the Vatican’s leadership in promoting sustainable practices.
