Pope Leo XIV has inaugurated a new exhibition at the Vatican Library exploring the power of water as both a source of life and a force capable of causing destruction.
The exhibition, titled AQVA – Catastrophe and Wonder, was inaugurated by the pope on Monday, September 14, ahead of its public opening later this month.
Visitors to the exhibition are welcomed by Diluvium, a 70-metre-long installation created by French street artist JR. The artwork is the first site-specific installation commissioned for the exterior of the Vatican Library, a historic 16th-century building.
Inside, the exhibition brings together artworks, rare books and historical materials examining humanity’s relationship with water. The displays explore water’s importance to life while also highlighting its destructive power, including the damage it can cause to historic documents and manuscripts.
Among the works featured are pieces by American typographer Bill Moran and Italian chef Fulvio Pierangelini.
The exhibition also showcases Aquatilium animalium historiae, a 16th-century study of fish and other aquatic animals by Italian naturalist Ippolito Salviani. The historic work was published 470 years ago and provides an important glimpse into early studies of aquatic life.
AQVA also examines the impact of water on ancient manuscripts held by the Vatican Library. Visitors will be able to explore how exposure to water can damage fragile historical documents, as well as the techniques used to restore and preserve them.
The exhibition forms the first part of the Vatican Library’s five-year Catastrophe and Wonder series, which will examine different forces and phenomena over the coming years.
Following water, future exhibitions in the series will explore themes including fire, light, insects and human intervention.
Although Pope Leo XIV has already inaugurated the exhibition, AQVA will officially open to the public on September 25, 2026.
It will remain on display until May 14, 2027, with visitors able to access the exhibition on selected days.
Through its combination of contemporary art, historical scholarship and rare manuscripts, the Vatican Library aims to encourage visitors to consider water from both cultural and scientific perspectives, while reflecting on its ability to sustain life and leave lasting destruction.
