Italy approves plan for Vatican solar farm to become carbon-neutral

Italy has recently agreed to a significant plan proposed by the Vatican, aiming to transform a 430-hectare plot of land located north of Rome into a solar farm. This innovative project is expected to generate enough electricity to fully meet the needs of Vatican City. The agreement was formalized when Vatican foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher signed it with Italy’s ambassador to the Holy See, Francesco Di Nitto. However, for this plan to proceed, it requires the approval of the Italian parliament due to the extraterritorial status of the territory involved in the agreement. The chosen site, Santa Maria Galeria, has a historical background characterized by controversy. It has long been a focal point due to health concerns raised by local residents regarding the electromagnetic waves emitted by Vatican Radio towers that have been operational there since the 1950s. Many residents reported health problems, including instances of childhood leukemia, attributing these issues to the emissions from the radio towers. Despite these claims, the Vatican maintained that there was no causal link between the emissions and the health concerns, resulting in legal challenges in the 1990s that ultimately cleared the transmitter. In recent years, however, Pope Francis has taken an active role in promoting eco-friendly initiatives. He tasked the Vatican with exploring ways to revitalize the area into a solar farm, reflecting his commitment to finding sustainable energy sources and transitioning away from fossil fuels. This aligns with his broader ecological message and vision for environmental stewardship within the Catholic Church, which has been furthered by Pope Leo XIV, who emphasized the importance of these efforts during a recent visit to the site. The Vatican has estimated the development costs for the solar farm to be under 100 million euros. If the plan receives parliamentary approval, the contracts for construction and development are expected to be opened for bids. The agreement also assures that the project will preserve agricultural use of the land while aiming to minimize environmental impact. This evolution from a site associated with controversy to one focused on renewable energy marks a significant transition for the Vatican and aligns with global goals for sustainable development and carbon neutrality.