Vatican Pavilion at 2025 Architecture Biennale to become new cultural space in Venice

The Holy See's Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, titled Opera Aperta, will be housed at the Complesso di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in the Castello district. The project, curated by Marina Otero Verzier and Giovanna Zabotti, interprets architecture as an act of care and shared responsibility, responding to contemporary social and ecological challenges. It marks the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato si' and aligns with the Biennale's theme curated by Carlo Ratti. The architectural direction is led by Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO and MAIO Architects. The complex, built in 1171 as a pilgrims' hospice and later Venice's oldest hospital, will undergo restoration over the next four years under the Dicastery for Culture and Education, becoming a lasting legacy for the city. Open to the public from May 10, the pavilion will host restoration workshops, community tables, musical rehearsals, and events throughout the Biennale and beyond. The restoration process itself is a shared practice, involving local artisans and conservators, with visitors able to view the works from Tuesday to Friday.