Pope Francis met at the Vatican this Monday, January 15, with the Franciscan members of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum of Jerusalem, and thanked them for their presence in the Holy Land, where the situation “is very serious.”
The Holy Father lamented that “the current situation of the Holy Land and the peoples who inhabit it involves us and hurts us.”
After insisting that “the situation is very serious from all points of view,” Pope Francis assured that “we must pray and act tirelessly so that this tragedy ends.”
“May this encourage you even more,” the Pontiff continued, “to deepen the reasons and quality of your presence in those martyred places, of your presence there, in the martyrdom of that person, in which the roots of our faith are rooted.”
“What can I say to the Franciscans? Thank you for your presence in the Holy Land, thank you! And bravely move forward. Thank you for everything you do! “I bless you from the bottom of my heart,” said Pope Francis.
The Studium Biblicum Franciscanum is a Franciscan academic society that was inaugurated in Jerusalem, in the Sanctuary of the Flagellation, on 7 January 1924, and a few years later began its relationship with the Colegio San Antonio de Rome, today the Pontifical University Antonianum.
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At the beginning of his speech, the Holy Father recalled that this center continues to promote “important archaeological excavations, in various sites and making valuable discoveries.”
Likewise, he highlighted that the academic society combined the study of Sacred Scripture with the presence in the Holy Places and archaeological research, which allowed it to “considerably expand and deepen its programs and methodologies.”
The Pontiff highlighted that, for Saint Francis, “the 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 men to live better the Gospel and make them good.”
In this sense, he urged them that the “rigorous and scientific study of biblical sources, enriched with the most current methods and related disciplines, is always linked to contact with the life of the holy people of God and oriented to their pastoral service, in harmony and for the benefit of your specific charism in the Church.”
“Study, meditation, reflection on the Bible and biblical texts, all within the Church, which is the faithful holy people of God on the journey,” said the Holy Father.
Furthermore, he reiterated that “outside the body of the Church, these studies are of no use. What is valuable is the heart of the Church, of Holy Mother Church.”
Pope Francis highlighted that at this time “the Lord asks us to listen to and know his Word better,” so the work of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum is “more precious than ever.”