In 1998, artists acquired the domain name Vaticano.org and launched a website that closely mirrored the official Holy See site. While visually identical, their version contained subtle yet significant alterations hidden within sacred texts. These changes allowed them to satirize and critique the identity of the Holy See by promoting ideals such as free love, soft drugs, and online activism.
Once the site went live on December 10th, 1998, it quickly attracted a flood of visitors, who spent countless hours engaging with the altered texts, which included heretical declarations, fabricated terminology, irredeemable errors, and pop songs. As journalist Sofia Basso noted, a particular stir was caused by the addition of pro-abortion, free sex, and drug legalization messages subtly embedded in papal encyclicals.
Vaticano.org also featured a functionality that allowed visitors to send emails to anyone in the Church, including the Pope. The editorial team, consisting of theology experts, diligently responded to emails, addressing theological questions and offering corrections to the Church’s stance on current issues. The Pope even “absolved” sinners via email in a “Free Spirit Jubilee.”
The Vatican’s response, as reported by Zenit, was one of surprise. Despite registering the domain name www.vatican.va in 1996, the Vatican had no plans to launch its own website at that time. Archbishop John Foley, head of the Vatican’s media office, remarked, “I thought that by registering the name www.vatican.va we had every angle covered. But, unfortunately, that is not the case.”
With over 4 million hits and 200,000 visitors, Vaticano.org became one of the first and most successful examples of creative online activism.
Vaticano.org, created by artists Eva and Franco Mattes, was a bold critique of the Holy See, using satire to challenge the Church’s views on issues like abortion and drug legalization. By subtly altering sacred texts, the Mattes duo cleverly blended humor and social commentary, creating a unique form of online activism.
The website’s success stemmed from its ability to interact with visitors, such as allowing them to email the Pope. This added layer of engagement further highlighted the parody of religious authority. While the subversive nature of the site was impactful, it may have been seen as satire by some, limiting its broader influence. Nevertheless, as one of the first examples of creative online activism, Vaticano.org remains a significant milestone in digital art and critique.
