Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 71st birthday with a first visit to the Vatican Apostolic Library, opening the exhibition AQVA: Catastrophe and Wonder. The project brings contemporary artistic perspectives into dialogue with one of the world's most significant historic collections.
At the centre of the exhibition is Diluvium, a nearly 230-foot black-and-white installation by French artist JR. Inspired by Gustave Doré's 1886 interpretation of the biblical flood, the work transforms the library's interior into an immersive visual landscape shaped by movement, water and collective memory.
Heritage Meets Contemporary Expression
During the opening, Pope Leo XIV described the library as a living heart, reflecting its role as both a guardian of knowledge and a space that connects ideas across generations. His remarks highlighted the balance between preservation and openness that defines the institution's cultural mission.
The exhibition also presents Undae, a wave-focused installation created for the Barberini Room, alongside Bill Moran's Letterfishes typography series. Together, the works explore water, language and imagination through distinct artistic approaches.
Curated by Don Giacomo Cardinali, Simona De Crescenzo, Francesca Giannetto and Delio Proverbio, the exhibition will welcome visitors from September 25 through May 14, 2027. By inviting contemporary creators into historic cultural spaces, the project signals how libraries can continue evolving as platforms for shared reflection and creative discovery.
