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Centenary of the Pontifical
Institute of Christian Archaeology

Lou Giorgetti

Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology (2025)
This past Thursday, Pope Leo XIV released the Apostolic Letter “On the Importance of Archaeology on the Occasion of the Centenary of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology”. The letter is dated December 11, coinciding with the Feast Day of Saint Pope Damasus I, who played an important role in preserving and honoring the early martyrs of the Church with his works tied to the Roman catacombs during the fourth century.

Saint Pope Damasus I:
1600th Anniversary of Death
Scott 749 (1984)

On December 11, 1925, Pope Pius XI published the Motu Proprio “I Primitivi Cemeteri” (“The Primitive Cemeteries”), establishing the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology. The impetus behind the project was the establishment of an institute for the advanced study of the monuments of ancient Christianity, in coordination with the then-existing Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology and the Pontifical Roman Academy of Archaeology. Its stated goals were to “reconstruct the lives of the early communities” and to train “professors of Christian archaeology for universities and seminaries, directors of archaeological excavations, curators of sacred monuments and museums, etc.”

Pope Leo’s Apostolic Letter, which can be accessed by clicking on the link in References, details the role and accomplishments of the Institute and Christian archaeology over the years. He concludes the letter by speaking directly to those involved in the study of Christian archaeology, stating:

” Continue to study, teach and recount history. Be tireless in your search, rigorous in your analysis and passionate in communicating with others. Above all, remain faithful to the true and profound purpose of your commitment: the endeavor to make visible the Word of life, bearing witness that God became flesh, that salvation has left its mark, and that this Mystery has become a historical narrative.”

Two weeks ago, Vatican City issued the stamp and special postmark shown at the top of this article commemorating the Centenary of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology, a joint issue with Luxembourg. The study of Christian Archaeology has been presented on numerous stamp issues over the years by Vatican City, as presented here: