Marking a century since the founding of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology (PIAC), Pope Leo XIV on Thursday offered a powerful reflection on why the study of early Christian antiquities remains vital—not only for historical scholarship, but for faith, ecumenism, and global cultural dialogue.
The Pope received professors, researchers, and students of the Institute in a special audience at the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, coinciding with the release of an Apostolic Letter dedicated to the importance of Christian archaeology. While the letter formally outlined the Church’s position, Pope Leo XIV used his address to provide deeper clarification on the discipline’s spiritual, scientific, and diplomatic significance.
“Christian archaeology is not simply a branch of historical inquiry,” the Pope said. “It is a field that speaks to the very identity of the Christian faith and to the shared origins of believers across traditions.”
A Legacy Rooted in Preservation
The Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology was established a century ago under Pope Pius XI, who emphasized the Church’s duty to preserve its sacred heritage. In his 1925 Motu Proprio I primitivi cemeteri di Roma cristiana (“The Early Cemeteries of Christian Rome”), Pius XI highlighted the importance of safeguarding catacombs, basilicas, mosaics, inscriptions, sculptures, and liturgical artifacts that testify to the life of the early Church.
Recalling that legacy, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to pioneering scholars such as Giovanni Battista de Rossi and Antonio Bosio, widely regarded as the founders of Christian archaeology. Their work laid the foundation for a discipline that blends rigorous scientific method with an understanding of early Christian belief and practice.
Pius XI’s decision to integrate the Institute into the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology and the Pontifical Roman Academy of Archaeology was aimed at attracting young scholars “from every country and nation” to study Christian antiquities—a mission that, Leo XIV said, remains “more alive than ever.”
A Discipline with Its Own Identity
Addressing ongoing academic debates, the Pope stressed that Christian archaeology has its own epistemological and scientific status, distinct from medieval archaeology or confessional theology.
“The adjective ‘Christian’ does not imply a confessional bias,” he explained. “Rather, it qualifies the discipline itself, giving it its own scientific and professional dignity.”
By focusing on the first centuries of Christianity—when the Church was still united—Christian archaeology provides unique insights into how early believers lived, worshipped, and expressed their faith through art and architecture.
A Tool for Ecumenism
Pope Leo XIV highlighted the discipline’s growing relevance for ecumenical dialogue, noting that the shared material heritage of early Christianity allows different denominations to rediscover their common roots.
“Through the study of Christian antiquities, various Churches and ecclesial communities can recognize their shared origins and renew their aspiration toward full communion,” he said.
The Pope recalled his recent Apostolic Journey to İznik (ancient Nicaea), where he commemorated the first Ecumenical Council alongside representatives of other Christian traditions. “Standing before the remains of ancient Christian buildings was deeply moving,” he said, calling the experience “exciting and motivating for all of us.”
Archaeology as Cultural Diplomacy
Beyond scholarship and ecumenism, Pope Leo XIV placed Christian archaeology within the broader framework of what he termed “the diplomacy of culture.”
“In a world marked by division and conflict, culture allows the human spirit to transcend borders and overcome prejudice,” he said. “Through your studies and excavations, you can help build bridges, foster encounters, and nurture harmony.”
Referring to the Church’s past “Jubilee of Peace” in 1925 and the current “Jubilee of Hope,” the Pope described the Institute as symbolically positioned between peace and hope.
“You are bearers of peace and hope wherever you work,” he told the archaeologists. “When your banner bearing the image of the Good Shepherd is recognized, may doors open to you—not only as bearers of knowledge and science, but as heralds of peace.”
Europe’s Christian Roots
In his concluding reflections, Pope Leo XIV cited Saint John Paul II, who once reminded Europe that its cultural and moral foundations are inseparable from Christianity.
“Europe needs Christ and the Gospel, because the roots of all her peoples are there,” John Paul II said in a 1981 address—a message Leo XIV urged today’s archaeologists to heed.
“Christianity is among the roots of European societies and nations,” the Pope said, “and archaeology—through its literary and monumental sources—offers a concrete response to that call.”
A Mission for the Future
Thanking the Institute’s scholars for their dedication, Pope Leo XIV encouraged them to continue their work “with renewed vigour,” entrusting their mission to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and imparting his Apostolic Blessing.
As debates over identity, history, and coexistence intensify worldwide, the Pope’s message was clear: Christian archaeology is not about the past alone—it is a bridge between faith and science, history and hope, peace and the future.
