HISTORY OF THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is international in
scope, multi-racial in composition, and non-sectarian in its choice of members.
The work of the Academy comprises six major areas: Fundamental science; Science
and technology of global problems; Science for the problems of the Third World;
Scientific policy; Bioethics; Epistemology.
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences has its roots in the
Academy of the Lincei which was founded in Rome in 1603 as the first exclusively
scientific academy in the world. The Academy of the Lincei achieved
international recognition, but did not survive the death of its founder,
Federico Cesi.
In 1847 Pope Pius IX reestablished the Academy as the
Pontifical Academy of the New Lincei. Pope Pius XI renewed and reconstituted the
Academy in 1936, and bestowed upon it its present name. Since 1936 the Pontifical Academy of Sciences has grown
increasingly international in character. While continuing to further the work of
the separate sciences, it stresses the growing importance of interdisciplinary
cooperation. Today the Academy's activities range from a traditional
interest in pure research to a concern with the ethical and environmental
responsibility of the scientific community.
THE PREMISES OF THE ACADEMY
The premises of the Academy are in the exquisite Casina
which was built in 1561 to serve as a summer residence for Pope Pius IV.
Surrounded by the greenery of the Vatican gardens, the Casina is a
well-preserved treasury of sixteenth century frescoes, stucco reliefs, mosaics
and fountains. WHO ARE THE PONTIFICAL
ACADEMICIANS?
The Pontifical Academicians are eighty women and men from
many countries who have made outstanding contributions in their fields of
scientific endeavour. They are nominated by the Supreme Pontiff after being
elected by the body of the Academicians.
The Pontifical Academicians participate in study groups and
meetings organized by the Academy to examine specific issues. Their
deliberations and scientific papers are published by the Academy. They assemble
in the Vatican in the Casina of Pius IV for Plenary Sessions.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE HOLY SEE
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is an independent entity
within the Holy See.
Although its rebirth was the result of papal initiative, and though it is placed
under the direct protection of the reigning Supreme Pontiff, the Academy defines
its own goals with regard to its statuted aim:
"...to promote the progress of the mathematical,
physical and natural sciences and the study of epistemological problems relating
thereto" (Statutes 1:2).
Pius XII underlined the Academy's freedom of inquiry in an
address of 1940 to the Academicians:
"To you noble champions of human arts and disciplines
the Church acknowledges complete freedom in method and research...".
Since the deliberations and studies which it undertakes are
not influenced by any one national, political or religious point of view, the
Academy constitutes an invaluable source of objective information upon which the
Holy See and its various bodies can draw.
ECONOMY
The operating expenses of the Academy are defrayed mainly by
the Holy See. In addition, gifts from foundations, firms, membership
organizations and individuals have enhanced the Academy's efficacy and outreach.
ORGANIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The Academy is governed by a President who is nominated from
among the Academicians by the Supreme Pontiff.
The President is assisted by a Council and by the Chancellor.
The Academy maintains relationships and publication exchanges
with other academies and with institutions of scientific research.
It is a member of the International Council of Scientific
Unions.
PUBLICATIONS
Among the many publications produced by the Pontifical
Academy of Sciences, four series stand out: ACTA, SCRIPTA VARIA, DOCUMENTA
and COMMENTARII.
ACTA are the Proceedings of the Plenary Sessions of the Academy.
SCRIPTA VARIA contain major works such as the full reports on the Study Weeks
and Working Groups held at the Academy. Owing
to their scientific importance, many volumes in the SCRIPTA VARIA series
have appeared as co-editions with foreign publishers.
The booklets in the DOCUMENTA series enable the
summaries and conclusions of Study Weeks and Working Groups to be made public with minimum delay.
This series is also a means of rapid diffusion of Papal addresses to the Academy,
and of significant documents such as the Declaration on the Prevention of
Nuclear War.
COMMENTARII contain notes and memoires as well as
special studies on scientific subjects.
A list of the Academy's publications is available upon
request or by visiting our Publications section in this same website.
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