Vatican Archives

The Vatican Archives, also known as the Archivum Secretum Vaticanum, is the Pope's private library and record-keeping institution, housing over 85 miles of documents dating back more than 12 centuries. It contains historical records related to the Catholic Church, papal administrations, and significant worldwide events, accessible to qualified researchers and scholars. The Archives serve as a valuable resource for studying religious, historical, and political history, preserving sensitive and historically important documents in a secure, climate-controlled environment. Despite its name, it is open to research, promoting transparency and the preservation of valuable Church history.