Pope: Cultural diplomacy can build bridges and overcome prejudices

Pope Leo XIV has encouraged the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology’s students and faculty to build bridges and overcome prejudices by taking part in cultural diplomacy.  

He addressed the establishment’s members during an audience at the Vatican on Thursday, December 11, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its foundation. 

The Pope met with the group on the same day he published an

He explained how Pope Pius XI decided to create the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology in 1925, adding it to the already existing Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology and the Pontifical Roman Academy of Archaeology.

He founded the Institute with the Motu Proprio “s” in order to “direct willing young people from every country and nation to scientific studies and research on Christian antiquities.”

“A century later, this mission is more alive than ever,” Pope Leo said. “Thanks in part to international conferences on Christian archaeology, through which the Institute promotes studies in a discipline that is characteristic not only of the historical sciences but also of the Christian faith and identity.”

" in light of this commemoration.