Vatican fountains are switched off for the first time
Vatican authorities have begun the process of switching off about 100 fountains, including two Baroque masterpieces in St Peter’s Square, because of a long drought affecting Rome.
High summer temperatures have followed two years of low rainfall in Rome, forcing it to close drinking fountains and consider rationing water.
Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said on Monday that it was the first time authorities in the spiritual home of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics could remember being forced to turn off the fountains.
Standing in St Peter’s Square, where fountains by 17th-century sculptors Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini stood dry, Mr Burke said that the Vatican wanted to help.
“This is the Vatican’s way of living solidarity with Rome, trying to help Rome get through this crisis,” he said.
All 100 Vatican fountains will be turned off gradually in coming days.
Rome is gasping after 72 per cent less rain than normal fell this month. There was 74 per cent less than normal last month, and a 56 per cent reduction from the long-term average across March, April and May.
Caring for the planet and its resources is an important issue for Pope Francis, who called for swift action by world leaders in the first papal document on the environment.
“This decision is very much in line with the pope’s thinking: you can’t waste and sometimes you have to be willing to make a sacrifice,” Mr Burke said.