Pope Francis says "Latin is a treasure trove of knowledge and thought, a key to accessing the classical texts that have shaped our world."
Pope Francis stressed this point in a message sent Wednesday to the Pontifical Academy for Latin as it conferred the "Pontifical Academies Award 2023." In his letter addressed to Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Pope recalled that the Pontifical Academy for Latin is awarding two recognitions: De rerum natura, on Latin and the sciences, and De re publica, on Latin and politics. The Pope congratulated the awardees for their dedication to the Latin language and "its relevance in the contemporary world."
FULL TEXT MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE AWARDING OF THE
“PONTIFICAL ACADEMIES 2023” PRIZE
TO THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMIA LATINITATIS
To my dear brother
Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça
Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
I am pleased to address a message to you on the occasion of the Pontifical Academies Prize. We honor the research, passion, and commitment of young scholars who have chosen to dedicate their intellectual labor and their love of knowledge to the interpretation of a linguistic and cultural heritage of inestimable value, such as Latin. Today the Pontificia Academia Latinitatis awards two important prizes on two equally challenging topics: De rerum natura, on Latin and the sciences, and De re publica, on Latin and politics.
First of all, I would like to congratulate the award winners for their commitment to the Latin language and its relevance in the contemporary world, as demonstrated by the research of Professor Enrico Piergiacomi, active at the Department of Humanities and Arts of the Israel Institute of Technology - Technion in Haifa, focused on the intersection between classical thought and modern sciences. In particular, the group of scholars collaborating on the national edition of Francesco Maurolico's Opera Mathematica is carrying out a valuable work of valorizing the great 16th-century scholar from Messina, who was not only a mathematician, but above all a priest and a humanist.
Latin is a treasure trove of knowledge and thought, a key to accessing the classical texts that have shaped our world. It represents the roots of Western civilization and, in many ways, our very identity. It is a language that embraces philosophy, science, art and politics, thus demonstrating its intrinsic value as a tool for reflection and dialogue, more necessary than ever in a fragmented world like ours. In this regard, the winners offer us a contemporary and fresh vision of how this ancient language can still speak to us and stimulate our reflection. Their research not only investigates the thought of the great masters of the past, but integrates their knowledge in a modern context, bringing it closer to the challenges of our time. The work of those who participated in the competition invites us to explore the connection between scientific and political knowledge, under the aegis of a language that boasts a thousand-year history.
The theme De rerum natura makes us think about the wonders of creation. In an age in which we are increasingly aware of the fragility of the environment, reflection on the natural world becomes crucial. Science offers us tools to understand the laws of nature, to explore the mystery of life and to face ecological challenges. However, it is only through an ethical, cultural and spiritual interpretation that we can truly grasp the profound meaning of the cosmos that surrounds us and of which we are a part.
The vision of nature, in its totality, as a gift from God, invites us to reflect on our responsibility towards our common home. Science and faith can and must dialogue: they are both called to guide our understanding of the world. In particular, the prize you have awarded reminds us that science cannot be reduced to a mere accumulation of data, but must help to grasp the complexity and beauty of creation.
The theme De re publica urges us to explore the foundations and structures of politics, reflecting on the common good and justice. In times of social instability, the Latin tradition is a value, because it promotes a close link between "public affairs" and fundamental principles of reflection. Politics, when exercised with honesty and integrity, is a noble art, a vocation to serve the community, never private interest.
The proposal of an ethos rooted in humanistic values is therefore a call to responsible action, in a climate of dialogue, respect and inclusion. Politics must address inequalities and promote the good of all, especially the most vulnerable. Human and cultural education plays an essential role here: only well-educated and aware citizens can be actors of healthy changes in society.
Ultimately, reflecting on these two areas of study, De rerum natura and De re publica, we see how Latin prepares a fertile ground for exploration and synthesis between science, culture and politics. The scrupulous and systematic research of the award winners is therefore not only an academic contribution, but a true call addressed to each of us. For this reason, today's meeting is not limited to celebrating research, but invites us to reaffirm our commitment to a culture of integral human growth (see Second Vatican Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes, 40).
Let us ask ourselves, then: how can we translate into daily life the discoveries that we are rewarding today? How can we encourage the new generations to undertake research paths, to question themselves and not be afraid to explore? How can we instill in young people a taste for culture and science?
The resourcefulness of thought and creativity, so dear to the Church, spring from the rediscovery of the beauty of knowledge capable of forming hearts and minds, of building bridges and breaking down walls. And in this sense Latin, and with it the intellectual heritage of humanity, can become instruments of harmony between peoples, of promoting mutual respect and human dignity. I therefore hope that the prize awarded today will become a sign of hope and that the passion of the winners will inspire others to the same commitment. I thank them for their dedication and the work done, as well as the members of the Pontificia Academia Latinitatis and all those present.
Your Eminence, expressing my joy for this initiative, I impart the Apostolic Blessing, which I extend to all the collaborators and members of the Pontifical Academies. May the Lord make your efforts and commitment ever more fruitful.
From the Vatican, October 23, 2024
FRANCIS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE AWARDING OF THE
“PONTIFICAL ACADEMIES 2023” PRIZE
TO THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMIA LATINITATIS
To my dear brother
Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça
Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
I am pleased to address a message to you on the occasion of the Pontifical Academies Prize. We honor the research, passion, and commitment of young scholars who have chosen to dedicate their intellectual labor and their love of knowledge to the interpretation of a linguistic and cultural heritage of inestimable value, such as Latin. Today the Pontificia Academia Latinitatis awards two important prizes on two equally challenging topics: De rerum natura, on Latin and the sciences, and De re publica, on Latin and politics.
First of all, I would like to congratulate the award winners for their commitment to the Latin language and its relevance in the contemporary world, as demonstrated by the research of Professor Enrico Piergiacomi, active at the Department of Humanities and Arts of the Israel Institute of Technology - Technion in Haifa, focused on the intersection between classical thought and modern sciences. In particular, the group of scholars collaborating on the national edition of Francesco Maurolico's Opera Mathematica is carrying out a valuable work of valorizing the great 16th-century scholar from Messina, who was not only a mathematician, but above all a priest and a humanist.
Latin is a treasure trove of knowledge and thought, a key to accessing the classical texts that have shaped our world. It represents the roots of Western civilization and, in many ways, our very identity. It is a language that embraces philosophy, science, art and politics, thus demonstrating its intrinsic value as a tool for reflection and dialogue, more necessary than ever in a fragmented world like ours. In this regard, the winners offer us a contemporary and fresh vision of how this ancient language can still speak to us and stimulate our reflection. Their research not only investigates the thought of the great masters of the past, but integrates their knowledge in a modern context, bringing it closer to the challenges of our time. The work of those who participated in the competition invites us to explore the connection between scientific and political knowledge, under the aegis of a language that boasts a thousand-year history.
The theme De rerum natura makes us think about the wonders of creation. In an age in which we are increasingly aware of the fragility of the environment, reflection on the natural world becomes crucial. Science offers us tools to understand the laws of nature, to explore the mystery of life and to face ecological challenges. However, it is only through an ethical, cultural and spiritual interpretation that we can truly grasp the profound meaning of the cosmos that surrounds us and of which we are a part.
The vision of nature, in its totality, as a gift from God, invites us to reflect on our responsibility towards our common home. Science and faith can and must dialogue: they are both called to guide our understanding of the world. In particular, the prize you have awarded reminds us that science cannot be reduced to a mere accumulation of data, but must help to grasp the complexity and beauty of creation.
The theme De re publica urges us to explore the foundations and structures of politics, reflecting on the common good and justice. In times of social instability, the Latin tradition is a value, because it promotes a close link between "public affairs" and fundamental principles of reflection. Politics, when exercised with honesty and integrity, is a noble art, a vocation to serve the community, never private interest.
The proposal of an ethos rooted in humanistic values is therefore a call to responsible action, in a climate of dialogue, respect and inclusion. Politics must address inequalities and promote the good of all, especially the most vulnerable. Human and cultural education plays an essential role here: only well-educated and aware citizens can be actors of healthy changes in society.
Ultimately, reflecting on these two areas of study, De rerum natura and De re publica, we see how Latin prepares a fertile ground for exploration and synthesis between science, culture and politics. The scrupulous and systematic research of the award winners is therefore not only an academic contribution, but a true call addressed to each of us. For this reason, today's meeting is not limited to celebrating research, but invites us to reaffirm our commitment to a culture of integral human growth (see Second Vatican Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes, 40).
Let us ask ourselves, then: how can we translate into daily life the discoveries that we are rewarding today? How can we encourage the new generations to undertake research paths, to question themselves and not be afraid to explore? How can we instill in young people a taste for culture and science?
The resourcefulness of thought and creativity, so dear to the Church, spring from the rediscovery of the beauty of knowledge capable of forming hearts and minds, of building bridges and breaking down walls. And in this sense Latin, and with it the intellectual heritage of humanity, can become instruments of harmony between peoples, of promoting mutual respect and human dignity. I therefore hope that the prize awarded today will become a sign of hope and that the passion of the winners will inspire others to the same commitment. I thank them for their dedication and the work done, as well as the members of the Pontificia Academia Latinitatis and all those present.
Your Eminence, expressing my joy for this initiative, I impart the Apostolic Blessing, which I extend to all the collaborators and members of the Pontifical Academies. May the Lord make your efforts and commitment ever more fruitful.
From the Vatican, October 23, 2024
FRANCIS
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