Fiat Lux, the Vatican transforms into the world's richest place for biodiversity
Environment — di Redazione
On the façade of St Peter's Basilica, Fiat Lux was staged — a photographic show designed to raise awareness of climate change and Cop 21.
Fiat Lux, the Vatican transforms into the world's richest place for biodiversity
On the façade of St Peter's Basilica, Fiat Lux was staged — a photographic show designed to raise awareness of climate change and Cop 21.
Paris and Rome united by their love for the Earth, by the environmental cause and by the desire to do something concrete to halt global warming. And so, on the day marking the beginning of the Jubilee of Mercy, 8 December, environmentally themed photographs featuring dozens of endangered animal species were projected onto the façade of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. At that very same moment, in the French capital, delegates from 196 countries were discussing the details of the agreement intended to save us from climate catastrophe at Cop 21.
From Salgado to Arthus-Bertrand: the artists involved
The photographers who took part in the extraordinary projection are of international renown. Among others: Sebastião Salgado (Genesi e Contrasto), Joel Sartore (National Geographic Photo Ark), Yann Arthus Bertrand (Human), David Doubilet, Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson (Samsara), Howard Hall, Shawn Heinrichs, Greg Huglin, Chris Jordan, Steve McCurry, Paul Nicklen and Louie Schwartzberg.
Pope Francis's commitment to the environment
The initiative Fiat Lux: Illuminating Our Common Home was organised under the umbrella of the NGO group Connect4Climate and the World Bank's climate programme. This year Pope Francis published an encyclical on the environment (Laudato si'), demonstrating a particular focus on issues such as the protection of biodiversity, the circular economy and climate change.