Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on students and faculty of the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology to use their work to build bridges between peoples, promote peace and contribute to greater understanding across nations.
Pope met the Institute’s community at the Vatican on Thursday as it marked the 100th anniversary of its founding. The visit coincided with the release of his new Apostolic Letter, "On the Importance of Archaeology", written for the centenary.
Speaking to the group, he recalled how Pope Pius XI established the Institute in 1925 to guide young researchers from around the world toward the scientific study of early Christian history. He said that a hundred years later this mission remains strong, especially through international conferences and academic collaboration.
Pope urged scholars to engage actively in cultural diplomacy, saying that culture has the power to rise above borders and prejudices and serve the common good. He encouraged them to foster encounters, harmony and peace through their studies and excavations.
He noted that the Institute was born during the Jubilee of Peace in 1925 and now celebrates its centenary during a Holy Year dedicated to hope. This, he said, positions the Institute as a symbol of both peace and hope in the world. He added that the Institute’s banner, depicting the Good Shepherd, should open doors for its members not only as researchers but as messengers of peace.
Pope Leo also highlighted the value of Christian archaeology for ecumenism. He referred to his recent trip to Türkiye, where he joined other Christian leaders in prayer at the archaeological site of an ancient basilica in Iznik to mark 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea. He said that studying early Christian history helps different Christian traditions recognize their shared origins and strengthens the desire for unity.
He stressed that the term “Christian” in Christian archaeology reflects the discipline’s scientific identity, not a religious bias, and urged scholars to uphold the uniqueness and professionalism of their field.
Pope concluded by noting the importance of Christian archaeology for Europe. Citing St John Paul II’s reflections on Europe’s Christian roots, he said that the continent’s identity is deeply connected to Christianity’s literary and historical heritage. The work of archaeologists, he added, helps modern Europe rediscover these foundations.
Pope Leo thanked the Institute for its contribution to culture, faith and scholarship, and encouraged its members to continue being witnesses of peace, hope and unity across the world.