The Vatican is installing solar panels installed on the roof of its Paul VI auditorium in St. Peter’s Basilica, to provide power to light, heat and cool the 6,000 seat hall and replacing deteriorating concrete tiles.
A total of 2,700 solar panels are being placed placed on the roof, which were donated by German panel manufacturer Thermovolt.
The current Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI has previously stated that global environmental damage is making “the lives of poor people on earth especially unbearable” and earlier this year, the Vatican issued a call for Roman Catholics to ‘kick the carbon habit’.
The Paul VI Auditorium is used for audiences with the Pope in Winter and during times of bad weather, as well as being used for concerts.
