杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

The Vatican hosted a conference on Wednesday entitled 鈥淭he Commission for the Protection of Monuments and the Safeguarding of the Architectural Heritage of the Holy See: 100 Years of Activity (1923-2023)鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis sent his greetings to participants in the study day in a message addressed to Prof. Francesco Buranelli, the Commission鈥檚 president.

Church鈥檚 contribution to cultural conservation

In his message, the 杏MAP导航 highlighted the importance of caring for the historical and artistic heritage of the Holy See and Vatican City State.

He noted that the widely-held desire to conserve and protect humanity鈥檚 cultural heritage originally grew out of the ancient states of the Italian peninsula, especially the Pontifical State.

As far back as the 15th century, the 杏MAP导航s issued edicts aimed at stemming the flow of antiquities from Rome鈥檚 archaeological excavations to the private collections of nobles, scholars, and sovereigns throughout Europe.

杏MAP导航 Francis recalled that several 17th and 18th century 杏MAP导航s issued decrees 鈥渁s a reaction to the sale of a large number of works of art and to repair the traumatic spoliation of the Napoleonic era鈥�.

These edicts and papal Chirographs helped develop legal principles which were adopted by modern parliaments.

鈥淎mong these,鈥� he said, 鈥渢he concept of the public utility of cultural heritage stands out 鈥� from publica utilitas, a concept from Roman Law 鈥� according to which not only public but also private property is subject to the needs of the common good.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 added that modern States have assumed the right to regulate and catalogue works of art and architectural heritage for its protection and for the enjoyment of all.

Art as expression of proclamation of faith

The 杏MAP导航 went on to recall that the Holy See adopted a law in 2001 to safeguard its own cultural assets.

He said the regulation would soon be updated to 鈥渃orrespond effectively to changed historical and social conditions, as well as to the evolution of both internal legislation and that of international organizations.鈥�

Citing 杏MAP导航 Benedict XVI, 杏MAP导航 Francis said the Church has 鈥渁lways supported and promoted the world of art, considering its language a privileged vehicle for human and spiritual progress.鈥�

Art, he added, is a tangible sign of the 鈥�transitus Domini鈥� in the world, that is, 鈥渁 visible expression of the life of the Church in its liturgical action and in the proclamation of the faith, in various spiritual manifestations, and in the exercise of charity.鈥�

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis thanked the members of the Permanent Commission for the Protection of Monuments and the Safeguarding of the Architectural Heritage of the Holy See for their work.

鈥淚 express my best wishes for the responsible and professional continuation of showing the beauty of art, which is a reflection of the harmonious communion between man and God.鈥�