Vatican Archives Opened, 1883

Today marks the issuance of Pope Leo XIII’s apostolic letter on history, Saepe numero Considerantes. In 1881, Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) opened to scholarly research the Vatican Archives. Two years later, Saepe numero confirmed the opening and his motu proprio of May 1884 gave further instructions. For Leo XIII, the archives embodied the Church’s memory and therefore its identity.