Pope Leo XIV unveils giant wave for new water exhibition at Vatican Library

Loading the video No Comment Video. Pope Leo XIV unveils giant wave for new water exhibition at Vatican Library Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 14/09/2026 - 18:30 GMT+2 A giant wave now covers part of the Vatican Apostolic Library’s historic façade as the Vatican opens a new exhibition exploring the power of water. Pope Leo XIV inaugurated AQVA – Catastrophe and Wonder on Monday, 14 September. Visitors enter through Diluvium, a 70-metre-long installation by French street artist JR, the first site-specific work commissioned for the exterior of the 16th-century library. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Inside, art and rare books explore water as both a source of life and a force of destruction. Works by American typographer Bill Moran and Italian chef Fulvio Pierangelini are shown alongside Aquatilium animalium historiae, a 16th-century study of fish and aquatic animals by Italian naturalist Ippolito Salviani, published 470 years ago. The exhibition also examines the damage water can cause to ancient manuscripts and the role it can play in their restoration. AQVA launches the Vatican Library’s five-year Catastrophe and Wonder series, which will later turn to fire, light, insects and human intervention. The exhibition opens on 25 September 2026 and runs until 14 May 2027, with public access on selected days. Vatican city Exhibition Pope Leo XIV Contemporary art Culture Top stories Now playing Next Pope Leo XIV unveils giant wave for new water exhibition at Vatican Library Now playing Next Devotees flock to Mumbai and Hyderabad as Ganesh Chaturthi begins Now playing Next Mass funeral in Bukavu for 26 children killed in DR Congo school blaze Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | September 14th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Saudi pipeline shutdown threatens oil supplies to Europe and Asia Now playing Next Houthis capture more Red Sea islands, tightening grip on Bab el-Mandeb Now playing Next Poland and Ukraine condemn Russian strikes near their border Now playing Next Retired wind turbines are turning into tiny homes and alpine skis Now playing Next Ceuta crisis drives EU towards tougher migration stance Now playing Next Sweden’s centre-left holds three-seat lead in early results Now playing Next Trump says Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy are spiking prices Now playing Next Sweden edges toward centre-left rule as Trump ends Dublin visit Now playing Next 12 European nations call on EU to expand Arctic presence amid growing threats Now playing Next Party leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland say future belongs back in EU Now playing Next 'We were right': EU finally listening to Baltic warnings on Russia, Latvian PM says Now playing Next 35,959 flights a day: Europe saw record summer air traffic despite Middle East war ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Israeli strike on Gaza vehicle kills two Hamas engineers, 13 wounded No Comment Indonesia races to find 129 missing after Java Sea ferry capsizes No Comment Drone strikes hit key Ukraine-Poland supply route, sparking border fires No Comment Moment teen is rescued after three days adrift in frigid waters Europe News EU halves cheap parcel influx in bid to rein in Chinese e-commerce giants Culture news Poland crowns its best bird imitator as crowds flock to Warsaw for annual competition Health news US push to cut drug prices could mean longer waits for European patients Tech News Kenya tests solar-powered ambulance for remote communities Europe News Le Pen vows to put French citizens first, tackle housing and cost-of-living crisis at first campaign speech Cult Nomad Games attract record 109 national teams and celebrate nomadic heritage Sci-Tech Everyday technology takes centre stage at IFA Berlin 2026 Culture news Israeli minister threatens to strip Israeli directors of citizenship over Venice-winning Gaza doc 'NAZA' ADVERTISEMENT The Cube 'Wind turbines cause animal malformations': True or false? Europe News Swedish centre-left holds slim election lead, but final result still too close to call Culture news Archaeologists baffled by huge Roman structure found in Budapest Europe News France submits new proposal to ban social media for under-15s after failed attempt Tech News AI makers step up calls for a slowdown as fears of a rogue takeover grow Europe Today 'Nobody can be weak', says Latvian Prime Minister over Russia threats Europe Today Sweden faces ‘very messy’ political situation after election, expert says Travel News Atokos: The tiny Greek island where people and wild boars swim in the sea and sunbathe together ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT