Pope Leo XIV visits Vatican Apostolic Library

In brief

Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican Apostolic Library on Monday, September 14, 2026, to inaugurate the exhibition titled AQVA. Catastrofe e meraviglia.

During the visit, which coincided with his 71st birthday, the Pope described culture as a form of gentle diplomacy that can create opportunities for reconciliation and global understanding. He noted that cultural heritage can remain faithful to the past while staying open to the future.

Octávio Carmo of Agência Ecclesia reported that the Pope also recalled the memory of his mother, who served as a librarian in Vatican City.