Vatican Secures Vast Solar Estate To Become First Carbon-Neutral State

• Italy clears Vatican plan for a 430-hectare solar farm at Santa Maria Galeria, putting the micro-state on course to become the world’s first carbon-neutral nation.

In a move that blends spiritual stewardship with pragmatic climate action, the Holy See has received Italian government approval to transform its 1,000-acre Santa Maria Galeria estate into a 430-hectare solar farm—enough to supply all of Vatican City’s electricity and certify the micro-state as the world’s first carbon-neutral sovereign.

The land, situated roughly 20 kilometres north-west of Rome, will host a mix of ground-mounted panels installed above existing olive groves and pasture, allowing agricultural activity to continue under a dual-use “agrivoltaic” model. Italian authorities have agreed to waive import tariffs on photovoltaic equipment for the project, though the Vatican will forego conventional feed-in tariffs, financing construction through a blend of private donations and green bonds issued via the Institute for Works of Religion.

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State, called the plan “a concrete expression of Laudato Si’”—Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical urging ecological conversion. Once completed by 2028, the array will generate an estimated 220 gigawatt-hours annually, covering papal residences, museums, and administrative offices while exporting surplus power to the Italian grid.

Environmental groups have largely welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to inspire faith-based organisations worldwide. Critics within Italy’s right-wing coalition, however, have questioned the tax exemptions and argued that the land could instead host housing. Final parliamentary ratification is expected later this year, and project designers say impact-mitigation measures—buffer zones, wildlife corridors, and native planting—have been incorporated to address biodiversity concerns.

For the Vatican, the scheme caps two decades of incremental sustainability upgrades, including rooftop panels on the Paul VI Audience Hall and electrification of its vehicle fleet. Becoming energy self-sufficient dovetails with broader European Union targets and positions the Holy See as a moral and technical exemplar ahead of the 2026 UN climate summit in Rome.