Pope Francis sends message to Pontifical Academies

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday sent a message to members of the Pontifical Academies on the occasion of their twentieth General Meeting.

In the message, Pope Francis described the Annual General Meeting of the Pontifical Academies as “moments of cultural and spiritual enrichment, moments of inspiration to fulfill personal and communal duties … moments which encourage the Church to renew her ideas on humanism, in response to modern day challenges”.

The theme of this year’s meeting was “Ad limina Petri: historic pilgrimage trails during the first centuries of Christianity”.  The Pope observed how this evocative title could help the faithful to prepare for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which begins in December.

He explained how pilgrimage is a “unique part” of the Holy Year, because it “emblematizes the journey every human being makes during their existence”. “Life is a pilgrimage and the human being is a pilgrim”.

The Holy Father also wrote, “your reflections will contribute to enhance the significance of Christian pilgrimage”. Within the context of the forthcoming Year of Mercy, he noted: “pilgrimage is an experience that involves mercy, sharing and solidarity”.

The Pope then went on to announce awards for those who had made significant contributions to research in historical anthropology. The recipients of the Premio delle Pontificie Accademie (the Pontifical Academies Prize) were the Campo Arqueológico di Mértola, for their work on archeological campaigns, and Dr. Matteo Braconi for his doctoral thesis entitled ‘The mosaic in the apse of the basilica di S. Pudenziana a Roma’.

The Medaglia del Pontificato (the Pontifical Medal) was then awarded to Dr. Almudena Alba López, for her publication 'Teologia politica y polémica antiarriana' ('Political Theology and the anti-Arian controversy').

Pope Francis concluded his message to the Pontifical Academies with his Apostolic Blessing.