Pope Leo XIV Inaugurates Vatican Library Exhibition Exploring Water, Art and History

Pope Leo XIV inaugurated the new exhibition “AQVA – Catastrophe and Wonder” on Monday, September 14, at the Vatican Library, bringing together contemporary artworks and centuries-old works to examine the complex relationship between humanity, water and the natural world.

Visitors to the exhibition begin their experience with “Diluvium,” a 70-metre-long installation by French street artist JR.

The work is the first site-specific installation commissioned for the exterior of the Vatican Library's 16th-century building, creating a striking introduction to the exhibition before visitors enter the historic institution.

Water as Life and Destruction

Inside the exhibition, artworks and rare books explore the contrasting nature of water from its essential role in sustaining life to its destructive power.

The exhibition brings together works from different disciplines and periods, including pieces by American typographer Bill Moran and Italian chef Fulvio Pierangelini.

They are presented alongside Aquatilium animalium historiae, a landmark 16th-century study of fish and aquatic animals by Italian naturalist Ippolito Salviani.

Published 470 years ago, Salviani's work provides a historical perspective on the study and documentation of aquatic life.

Protecting Ancient Manuscripts

Beyond its artistic and scientific themes, the exhibition also examines the threat water poses to cultural heritage.

Visitors are shown how flooding, humidity and other forms of water damage can affect ancient manuscripts and rare books, while also exploring techniques through which water-damaged materials can be preserved and restored.

The exhibition therefore connects contemporary artistic expression with the Vatican Library's centuries-old mission of protecting knowledge and cultural heritage.

Five-Year "Catastrophe and Wonder" Series

“AQVA Catastrophe and Wonder” marks the beginning of a five-year exhibition series organised by the Vatican Library under the theme “Catastrophe and Wonder.”

Future exhibitions in the series will examine other forces and phenomena, including fire, light, insects and human intervention.

The programme is intended to bring together art, science, history and the preservation of cultural heritage while encouraging visitors to consider the relationship between humanity and the forces that shape the world.

Exhibition Opens to the Public

Although inaugurated by Pope Leo XIV on September 14, the exhibition will officially open to visitors on September 25, 2026.

It will run until May 14, 2027, with public access available on selected days.

Through the combination of contemporary installations, historic scientific works and rare manuscripts, “AQVA Catastrophe and Wonder” offers visitors an opportunity to explore water not simply as a natural resource, but as a force capable of shaping civilisation, inspiring art and threatening humanity's cultural heritage.