The Vatican Apostolic Archive and the Vatican Apostolic Library will have new spaces. This is established by Pope Leo XIV through a chirograph in which he designates an additional area within the Vatican City State for both institutions and requests that construction of a new building proceed. The measure responds to the sustained growth of the collections that both institutions safeguard and to the need to guarantee their conservation under adequate conditions.
The document explains that the need arises from the “notable increase in the bibliographic heritage of the Holy See recorded in recent decades, as well as the documentary output of its institutions.” As a consequence, the spaces available for the Archive and the Library are “insufficient.” The chirograph recalls that, in order to provide an adequate response to the need for new conservation spaces, Pope Francis had identified in the extraterritorial zone of the Lateran “a suitable place for that purpose.” However, in recent months “unprecedented opportunities have emerged to create new spaces within the territory of the Vatican City State,” which, according to the document, “are undoubtedly preferable, for multiple reasons, to the solution already identified.”
Therefore, Leo XIV, following the tradition of “secular care” of his predecessors toward “the institutions that preserve and safeguard the administrative and cultural memory of the Apostolic See,” after gathering the relevant information and the opinions of competent persons, decrees that the area of the so-called “Fontana dell’Autoparco” and its adjacent area be designated for the Vatican Apostolic Archive and the Vatican Apostolic Library, “in accordance with the boundaries indicated in the attached plan.”
The Pope further requests that “construction proceed, in accordance with the most modern architectural and technological principles and in compliance with current regulations, of a new building intended primarily for the needs of the Vatican Apostolic Archive and the Vatican Apostolic Library,” distributing the spaces equitably and reserving a portion for other services of the Vatican City State.
For the execution of the work, according to the document, “the Governorate of the Vatican City State shall act in full agreement with the Vatican Apostolic Archive and the Vatican Apostolic Library, assuming the costs of the spaces intended for the services of the State, with the exception of the relocation of the vehicle fleet and the new parking area, which shall be borne by the Apostolic Archive and Library.”
In order to “obtain the necessary financial resources for the construction of the spaces” intended for the Archive and the Library, and for effective management of resources, the Pontiff establishes that both, “as founding and promoting entities,” shall constitute “a Vatican instrumental foundation.” The foundation shall be governed according to the legal and operational rules set out in the Motu Proprio “on the instrumental juridical persons of the Roman Curia,” of December 5, 2022.
“While the new building is under construction — the chirograph finally emphasizes — the Vatican Apostolic Library will continue to use the storage spaces it currently occupies in the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary.”
Context and relevance
The decision is part of the care that the Holy See has maintained for centuries toward the institutions that preserve and safeguard the administrative and cultural memory of the Apostolic See. The chirograph not only responds to a practical need for space, but also reaffirms the importance of properly conserving the bibliographic and documentary heritage accumulated over time.
The shift from the solution initially planned in the extraterritorial zone of the Lateran to an area within the territory of the Vatican City State responds to “unprecedented opportunities” that, according to the document, are preferable for multiple reasons. This decision entails coordination between the Governorate of the State and the two beneficiary institutions, with clear responsibilities regarding costs and management.
The establishment of a Vatican instrumental foundation, subject to the Motu Proprio of December 5, 2022, introduces a specific legal and financial mechanism to obtain the necessary resources and ensure effective management. While construction is underway, the Vatican Apostolic Library will continue to use the storage spaces it currently occupies in the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary, which guarantees continuity of service.
Overall, the measure seeks to ensure that the Archive and the Library can continue fulfilling their mission of preserving and providing access to the administrative and cultural memory of the Holy See, adapting to current and future demands.
Original source: www.vaticannews.va (published on September 14, 2026)
