We know that the new(ish) leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, believes that the earth is to be cherished and the pollution is a mortal sin, and now it looks like he’s putting his papal money where is holy mouth is by activating a new solar-power system at the Vatican which will account for twenty percent of the Holy See’s power by 2020.  It gives a whole new context to “receiving power from above.”

I’m sorry.  My dad wanted that in there, so he got it.  Blame him.  Anyhow, Reuters reports that the system is going to pretty massive:

The massive roof of the Vatican’s “Nervi Hall,” where popes hold general audiences and concerts are performed, has been covered with 2,400 photovoltaic panels — but they will not be visible from below, leaving the Vatican skyline unchanged…The system…will allow the 108-acre city-state to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by about 225,000 kilograms (225 tonnes) and save the equivalent of 80 tonnes of oil each year.

The decision to go solar is political and economic, as well as religious.  As you may or may not have figured out by now, Vatican City is somewhat land-locked.

By producing its own energy the Vatican will become more autonomous from Italy, from where it currently buys all its energy. The Vatican is surrounded by Rome.

takepart and visit Home Power Magazine to turn your house into something exactly like the Vatican, minus some of the artwork.  And good work, Pope.  You’re being a good steward to the earth, and you really are practicing what you preach!  HaHA!

Please don’t smite me.