In order to make better use of the precious heritage of the Vatican Archives and Library, Pope Francis has established that part of the assets and documents held by the two secular institutions be relocated, that is, transferred to some spaces in the building and in the vicinity of the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary. The decision of the Pontiff comes in a decree signed on October 29 and published on Tuesday, November 12.

“The centuries-old care for the safekeeping of the acts and documents that concern the government of the universal Church, together with the commitment to the development and diffusion of culture, are the characteristic features of the activity of the Vatican Archives and Library,” the document states. Continuing the work begun by previous Popes, “from the Scrinium of the Church of Rome,” the two institutions “are called today to make this precious heritage useful,” says Francis.

Therefore, “pursuing the objective of contributing to the more effective management of activities and the conservation of assets, after having acquired the appropriate information and competent opinions,” the Pope decrees that “the spaces available to the Apostolic Archives and the Apostolic Library be expanded, using part of the building and its surroundings that in the extraterritorial area of ​​​​St. John Lateran houses the Pontifical Major Roman Seminary.”

To this end, the Archives and the Library “will collaborate together in carrying out the work, according to their respective competencies, observing the current provisions, procedures and guidelines that are necessary for the orderly execution of this indispensable work that the See of Peter places at the service of the Church and the world of culture,” the document stipulates.

The Pontiff also ordered the creation of a Commission composed of representatives of the Secretariat of State, the Vatican Apostolic Archives and the Vatican Library to determine the categories of documents that will be transferred to the new rooms. In turn, the Holy Father clarifies that the Commission will be able to function immediately, in parallel to the work that is being carried out.