Vatican's Organic Garden

In the Vatican, the world's smallest state, the Pope's gardeners cultivate a 400-square-meter organic vegetable plot near a monastery. This private garden is surrounded by dense hedges and guarded by the Vatican's gardening services, keeping it inaccessible to the public.

Historic Trees and Nuns' Jams

The garden includes about 25 century-old trees producing rare citrus fruits like lemons and oranges. These trees, some over 80 years old, have been tended through eight papacies. Argentine nuns, installed by Pope Francis, make jams from these fruits, which are sold to charities.

Nuns and Gardener Collaboration

The cloistered nuns, who live in the monastery, work with the head gardener, Gilberto Bianchi, to plan the garden's harvests. These include kiwi, eggplants, basil, and cherry tomatoes, though the full list remains undisclosed. The garden's secrecy is partly due to the Vatican's historical status as a "secret garden."

Organic Farming and Environmental Goals

The Vatican's vegetable garden transitioned to organic farming under Pope Francis's influence, especially following his encyclical Laudato si'. This document encouraged environmentalism in the Vatican, leading to initiatives like electric cars, waste management, and sustainable energy.

Gardening Challenges and Future Goals

Two of the 35 gardeners in the Vatican's green spaces service care for the vegetable plot. They use natural methods to prevent disease and avoid chemical treatments, emphasizing water conservation. The gardeners face challenges from global warming and urban conditions but hope to revive forgotten fruit varieties and increase pollinators.

Secrecy Around the Pope's Diet

Whether the Pope eats from the garden remains unknown. The Vatican maintains a strict silence about the habits of the Pope, preserving the mystery around his lifestyle and the garden's role in it.