Pope Francis has decided to establish a solar energy station and install solar panels on one of the Vatican properties on the outskirts of Rome, as he wants the Vatican City to operate on solar energy, according to Vatican Radio.
Vatican Radio indicated on its website that the generated energy can cover all the energy needs of the Vatican entirely, which is what Pope Francis aims to achieve. The Pope said, "The transition towards a sustainable development model that reduces greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere is necessary, and he aspires to climate neutrality." The solar panels will be installed in Vatican properties located about 11 kilometers from Rome, in the area of Santa Maria di Galeria, which is currently used for broadcasting Vatican Radio. The system will combine renewable electricity production with basic agricultural land needs, and as for construction, Pope Francis has given special commissioners full authority to manage the project. The Pope is committed to the environment. Pope Francis added, "Humanity possesses the technological means to address this environmental transformation and its harmful ethical, social, economic, and political consequences, and solar energy plays a fundamental role among these solutions." Pope Francis outlined his position on the climate crisis early in 2015 when he said he would "renew the dialogue on how to build the future of the planet."