Pope Francis has unveiled plans for a solar plant that will let the Vatican City generate all its electricity from renewable sources.

With an area of 121 acres or 0.44km2 and a population of around 825, the Vatican City in Rome is the smallest independent state in the world by both area and population.

It has now earned itself another accolade: one of only a few countries in the world to be powered by 100% renewable energy.

According to data from the International Energy Agency, Albania, Bhutan, Nepal, Paraguay, Iceland, Ethiopia and Congo generate more than 99.7% of their electricity from renewables.In his recent apostolic letter, Fratello Sole (Brother Sun), Pope Francis has initiated the construction of a “agrivoltaic system” within the extraterritorial area of Santa Maria di Galeria.

The Vatican already has over 2,394 photovoltaic panels installed, some of which cover the roof of the Paul VI audience hall, and generate 300MWh annually.

With this latest initiative, the Pope declared...