The religion Apostolic Library, which is home to ancient manuscripts, rare books and reading rooms for scholars, is opening its doors to the general public with a small new exhibition space aimed at pairing its artistic treasures with contemporary art.
The inaugural exhibit, “Tutti” (All), takes its inspiration from pope-francis” target=”_blank”>Pope Francis’<
A view of the Vatican Apostolic Library on Monday during the presentation to the media of the exhibition "Tutti" (All).
(AP Photo/Nicole Winfield)
Inaugurating the new space last week, Francis said the world was in need of new maps after infectious-disease.
“In this epochal change that the pandemic has accelerated, humanity needs new maps to discover the sense of fraternity, of friendship and the common good,” he said. “We need a new beauty, that isn’t the usual reflection of power of some but a courageous mosaic of everyone’s diversity.”
The initiative, funded by the estate of U.S. philanthropist Kirk Kerkorian, follows Francis’ appeal early on in his pontificate for the library to open itself up more to the outside world. Francis has followed that line by also opening the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo to the public as a museum.
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Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass during his visit at the Catholic University Of The Sacred Heart on Nov. 5 in Rome. The Vatican Library, which recently opened its doors to the public, has an inaugural exhibit that was inspired by one of the pope’s encyclicals.
( Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
The exhibit, which runs through Feb. 22, is open Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and provides visitors with a unique way to get into Vatican City that would otherwise be off-limits. Visitors must request admission in advance online, and the 15 euro admission fee includes the catalogue.
The Apostolic Library is separate from the Vatican Secret Archives, recently renamed the Vatican Apostolic Archives, which is home to all the documentation from the Holy See and its far-flung embassies. Both are open to scholars upon request.
