Pope Benedict Receives Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology

(20 Dec 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI received the students, professors, staff and administration of the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology.

Chris Altieri reports…

The Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology was founded principally to uncover, study and protect the most ancient Christian sites and artefacts in Rome.


Meeting today with the students, professors, staff and administration of the Institute, Pope Benedict XVI said their experience shows the world that the study of archaeology, especially the study of the earliest Christian monuments, allows for a deepening of our knowledge and understanding of the Gospel truth that has been passed down to us, and offers a chance to follow in the footsteps of the great teachers and witnesses of the faith who have gone before us.


The Holy Father said knowledge of the heritage of past generations of Christians allows successive generations to keep themselves true to the deposit of faith received by the first Christian community, and, following in their path, continue to let the changeless Gospel of Christ resound in every time and place.