New water fountains and new floodlighting of the statues on the Bernini Colonnade will be ready for the Jubilee thanks to Vatican’s collaboration with Acea

Acea will collaborate with the Dicastery for Evangelization, on initiatives and projects related to water and lighting, for the main events of the Jubilee. The collaboration was announced this morning in the Sala Pio X during a press conference attended by His Excellency Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-prefect of the Dicastery, which is responsible for organizing the Holy Year, and the top management team of Acea, led by the President Barbara Marinali and the CEO Fabrizio Palermo.

One of the most important projects has been carried out by Areti, the company which manages public and artistic lighting in the city of Rome, which will result in new improved floodlighting for the statues on the colonnade around St Peter's Square. The 140 travertine sculptures which surmount the columns and pillars of the most famous piazza in the Christian world will be floodlit by 280 the latest-generation projectors which emit low-consumption, low-environmental-impact LED light.

In addition, during the Jubilee, Acea is installing another 14 water stations, two within Vatican City State and 12 in other parts of Rome, located along the various Jubilee routes and near the main Basilicas. These, together with those already set up, and the 2500 or so characteristic Roman water fonts (known as Nasoni) distributed throughout the city center, will quench the thirst of tourists and pilgrims allowing them to drink the water of Rome – which is among the purest and most carefully controlled waters in the world. Acea will also support the Jubilee of Adolescents, which from 25 to27 April will see over 150,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 flock to the eternal city, with awareness-raising activities on the need for the protection of water and water education projects in schools.

"First and foremost we are grateful to Acea, because we began this journey many months ago, and we have now reached the conclusions that are being presented today,” said Archbishop Fisichella . “This project for the artistic floodlighting of the statues above Bernini's Colonnade will be a lasting legacy and will give tourists and pilgrims the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the piazza even after dark. I am grateful too for the water stations which we have managed to set up near St. Peter's. This was a project that really struck me because it symbolizes the modernity of Rome which it wants to share with the whole world. [The water stations are hi-tech drinking fountains, where you can recharge tablets and smartphone and look up information of general interest using their digital displays. You can, of course, also enjoy a drink of still or sparkling water free of charge]. Pope Francis will bless one next Wednesday. I want to underline that we will also collaborate with Acea to promote World Water Day, in the month of March. Finally, I am particularly grateful for the generosity also shown by the company in supporting the Jubilee of Adolescents".

Acea President Barbara Marinali said: "Now, 115 years after its birth, the company is preparing to participate in its eighth Jubilee - the first was in 1925 - and, thanks to our infrastructure and professional experience, we will also guarantee essential services during this great event,

confirming the Group's commitment to the city, especially in terms of sustainability and technological innovation".

Acea CEO Fabrizio Palermo said: "The Jubilee of 2025 represents a fundamental and historic opportunity for the development of Rome. Acea is committed to carrying the city into the future with significant investment in the water supply, and the electricity and environmental sectors. To mark this great global event, Acea is committed to make Rome an example of excellence in the sustainable management of resources, starting with water, which is such a precious and fundamental element in everyone's daily life, and which needs to be protected and safeguarded."