Vatican Embraces The Power Of The Sun

The first solar panels have been installed on top of the papal audience hall at Vatican City.

Workers on Monday began putting photovoltaic cells on the roof of Paul VI Hall to convert sunlight into electricity.

According to the workers involved in the project, a total of 2,700 panels will be placed to provide power which will be used to illuminate, heat or cool the building where the pontiff holds his general audiences in the winter and in bad weather and where concerts are held. In the background is St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican engineers announced the plan for the first solar panels last year.

Pope Benedict XVI has made conserving the Earth's resources an important concern of his papacy.

Pilgrims attend weekly audiences in the hall during winter as well as in other seasons when the weather is too bad to gather in St. Peter's Square.

Rome gets lots of sunshine, and engineers say the cells will produce enough electricity to illuminate, heat or cool the hall.