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Skriven 2007-06-25 22:56:04 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

POPE VISITS VATICAN APOSTOLIC LIBRARY AND SECRET ARCHIVES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2007 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI visited the
Vatican Apostolic Library and the Vatican Secret Archives. From July 14, the
Library is due to close its doors to the public for a period of three years in
order to enable restoration work to take place in one of the wings of the
Renaissance building in which it is housed.

In his address, the Pope highlighted how the Library is called "Apostolic"
because "it is an institution considered since its foundation as the 'Pope's
library'." Today, he said, it is "a welcoming home of learning, culture and
humanity which opens its doors to scholars from all over the world without
distinction of origin, race or culture. The job of those of you who work here
every day is to safeguard the synthesis between culture and faith that emerges
from the precious documents and treasures you hold."

In the Vatican Secret Archives, which opened their doors to scholars in 1881 by
order of Pope Leo XIII, said the Holy Father, "it is possible to undertake not
only scholarly research, of itself most laudable and praiseworthy, concerning
periods distant from us in time, but also to pursue interests concerning epochs
and times close to us, even very close. Proof of this are the first fruits
produced by the recent opening to scholars of the pontificate of Pope Pius XI,
ordered by me in June 2006."

Referring to the "polemics" that have arisen following the publication of
certain items of research, the Pope praised "the disinterested and impartial
service provided by the Vatican Secret Archives," which "steer clear of sterile
and often weak partisan historical viewpoints and give researchers, without
hindrance or prejudice, the documents in its possession, cataloged with
seriousness and competency."

Both the Library and the Archives receive "expressions of appreciation and
respect from cultural institutes and individual scholars from various
countries," said Pope Benedict. "To me, this seems the best recognition to
which the two institutions can aspire," he added.

Benedict XVI told the Library staff that on his own 70th birthday he "would
have liked the beloved John Paul II to have granted me the chance of dedicating
myself to study and research on the interesting documents ... you safeguard so
carefully, real masterworks that help us to follow the story of humanity and of
Christianity."

"In your multifarious activities, you make use of the most advanced techniques
in computers, cataloging, restoration, photography and, more generally, in
everything that concerns the protection and usage of the immense heritage you
preserve."

The Holy Father concluded by exhorting his audience "always to consider your
work as a real mission to be undertaken passionately and patiently, with
courtesy and a spirit of faith. Let it be your concern always to offer a
welcoming image of the Apostolic See, aware that the evangelical message also
passes through your own coherent Christian witness."
BXVI-VISIT/VATICAN LIBRARY:ARCHIVE/...VIS 070625 (500)

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