Pope to Studium Biblicum: your work is more precious than ever

By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis on Monday addressed members of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, recalling some of its aspects at one hundred years since its foundation. 

Sacred scripture and archeological research

The first, the Pope began, is the fact that the Studium, "with its Library and Museum, has given and continues to give impetus to important archaeological excavations, in various sites, making valuable finds", determining "your peculiarity of combining the study of Sacred Scripture with a stay in the Holy Places and archaeological research."

The Holy Father noted that the members' love for the biblical texts is "founded in the same will of Saint Francis."

For St. Francis, he explained, "knowledge of the Word of God, and even its study, are not matters of mere erudition, but experiences of a sapiential nature, whose purpose, in faith, is to help people live the Gospel better and to make them good."

This approach to scripture

Pope Francis emphasized this point by recalling St. Bonaventure of Bagnoreggio's Breviloquium, in which he wrote that to receive the gift of the Word of God, it is necessary "to approach the Father of light with simple faith and to pray with a humble heart, so that He, through the Son and in the Holy Spirit, may grant us true knowledge of Jesus Christ and, with knowledge, also love."

On the occasion of the Studium's centenary, the Pope continued, "I urge you not to lose sight of this kind of approach to Scripture."

Bringing his discourse to a close, Pope Francis invited all those present to listen to and know better His word, "to make it resound in the world in an ever more comprehensible manner," as "your discreet and passionate work is more precious than ever."

Prayers for the Holy Land

Finally, Pope Francis prayed for the Holy Land, where the Studium is located.

He acknowledged how "the current situation of the Holy Land and the peoples who inhabit it involves us and pains us," before asking that we "pray and act tirelessly for this tragedy to cease."