let there be light

This just in from BBC (hat tip to my brother): Vatican to build solar panel roof: Pope Benedict XVI is to become the first pontiff to harness solar power to provide energy for the Vatican, engineers say.

The deteriorating cement roof tiles of the Paul VI auditorium will be replaced next year with photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity.

The cells will generate enough power to light, heat or cool the hall, the Vatican engineers say.

Last year the Pope urged Christians not to squander the world's resources.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the Vatican is now setting an example to the rest of Italy, which has been slow in harnessing solar.

Pope Benedict has criticised "the unbalanced use of energy" in the world.

Last year he said environmental damage was making "the lives of poor people on earth especially unbearable".

Read the whole story here.