Pope establishes the «Fratello Sole» foundation for the Vatican's energy self-sufficiency

By means of a pontifical chirograph dated June 1, 2026, Pope Leo XIV decreed the creation of the «Fratello Sole» Foundation and approved its statutes. This decision is a continuation of the initial commission made by his predecessor, Pope Francis, in his apostolic letter in the form of a Motu Proprio dated June 21, 2024, and follows a bilateral agreement signed with the Italian Republic that came into force on May 27. The central purpose of the institution is to develop a sustainable model that reconciles agriculture and renewable energy generation.

The Foundation's main mission will be the construction, technical and financial management of an agricultural power plant located on the grounds of Santa Maria di Galeria. This facility will not only guarantee the power supply of the radio station in the area, but will also provide the entire electricity supply of the State of the Vatican City, The project will be carried out by the Governatorato, its related institutions and the real estate included in the Treaty of 1929. The land for the project will be provided by the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), while the Governatorato will assume the operational, logistical and maintenance support.

Structure and operation of the entity

The «Fratello Sole» Foundation has been established with Vatican public juridical personality and administrative and accounting autonomy. Its governance will be in the hands of a Board of Directors composed of three members.

During the first three years, the presidency and vice-presidency will be assumed directly by the current presidents of the Governatorato and APSA; these positions will alternate every three years in the future. The third member of the council will be appointed by the Supreme Pontiff. In addition, a Sole Syndic will be appointed to supervise the accounting and oversee the proper administration of the funds.

The statute published today also empowers the foundation to carry out fundraising activities, collaborate with international scientific bodies and, if the needs of the system so require, promote new renewable energy plants at other sites.

In the area of procurement and financial arrangements, the entity will operate under strict criteria of transparency, sustainability and technical reliability, applying the procurement regulations of the Holy See.