Pope Leo XIV unveils giant wave for new water exhibition at Vatican Library
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.
On Monday, September 14th, Pope Leo XIV opened a new exhibition called AQVA - Catastrophe and Wonder at the Vatican Library. The installation, titled Diluvium, is a 70-meter-long work by French street artist JR, marking the first site-specific piece commissioned for the library's exterior.
Within the exhibition, art and rare books are displayed to illustrate water's dual role as both a vital source of life and a destructive force. American typographer Bill Moran and Italian chef Fulvio Pierangelini have contributed works to the exhibition, alongside a 16th-century study of fish and aquatic animals called Aquatilium animalium historiae by Italian naturalist Ippolito Salviani. This piece was originally published 470 years ago.
The exhibition also delves into the potential harm water can inflict on ancient manuscripts and the ways it can aid in their restoration. With this opening, the Vatican Library launches a five-year series titled Catastrophe and Wonder, which will later explore themes of fire, light, insects, and human intervention. The exhibition is set to open on September 25th, 2026, and will remain on display until May 14th, 2027, with select public access days.
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