Overview
- The Pope received the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology at the Vatican on its 100th anniversary and delivered an address.
- He published an Apostolic Letter titled “On the Importance of Archaeology” the same day to reaffirm the field’s mission.
- He called students and faculty to a “diplomacy of culture” that builds bridges across nations and counters prejudice in service of the common good.
- He highlighted Christian archaeology as a practical tool for ecumenism, citing his İznik visit for the Nicaea commemoration with other Christian leaders.
- He clarified that “Christian” defines the field’s scientific and professional identity, recalled its 1925 founding by Pius XI, and linked its work to Europe’s Christian roots.