Vatican Media Expands Sign Language Services for Jubilee Year
Vatican News is broadening its accessibility initiatives by adding French Sign Language (LSF) and Spanish Sign Language (LSE) to its streaming services starting with the Jubilee of the World of Communication. These additions join Italian Sign Language (LIS) and American Sign Language (ASL), which have been available since 2021.
Beginning January 26, 2025, on the Sunday of the Word of God and the concluding day of the Communications Jubilee, the Angelus and General Audiences will be translated live in Italian (LIS), Spanish (LSE), and French (LSF) Sign Languages on Vatican News’ YouTube channel. American Sign Language (ASL) translations will continue to be available on-demand. Live Italian subtitling of the Pope’s words will also continue throughout the Jubilee year.
This expansion is part of the “No One Excluded” Project and has been made possible through financial support from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The initiative aims to ensure an inclusive Jubilee experience where everyone can participate without exception.
In addition to live sign language streaming, the “No One Excluded” Project offers the “Vatican for All” app, developed by the Dicastery for Communication for people with communication and visual disabilities. The app, available free on Google Play and Apple Store, provides access to news about papal events and Holy See activities.
The project is coordinated by Sister Veronica Donatello, consultant to the Dicastery for Communication and head of the Italian Episcopal Conference’s National Service for the Pastoral Care of Persons with Disabilities. It receives support from various organizations, including the Pius Institute for the Deaf in Milan, CBM Italia, Friends of Vatican Radio, St. Francis Borgia Deaf Center in Chicago, and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in making Vatican communications more accessible to the global deaf community, reinforcing the Church’s commitment to inclusive communication during the Jubilee Year.
