| Pontifical Biblical Institute | |
| Latin Name: | Pontificium Institutum Biblicum |
| Founder: | Pope Pius X |
| Mission: | Biblical and ancient Near Eastern Studies |
| Focus: | Catholic, Jesuit |
| Head Label: | Rector |
| Head: | Peter Dubovský, S.J. |
| Location: | Piazza della Pilotta Rome, Italy; Paul Emile Botta St. Jerusalem, Israel |
The Pontifical Biblical Institute (also known as Biblicum) is a research and postgraduate teaching institution specialised in biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies located in Rome. Founded in 1909 by Pope Pius X, it is an institution of the Holy See entrusted to the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Since 1927, the Institute has had a branch in the city of Jerusalem.
Along with the Pontifical Oriental Institute, the Pontifical Biblical Institute was incorporated into the Pontifical Gregorian University under a single rector when the new statutes of the Gregorian took effect on 19 May 2024.[1] [2] [3]
The Pontifical Biblical Institute, along with the Pontifical Biblical Institute Library, was founded by Pope Pius X in the apostolic letter Vinea Electa in 1909 as a centre of advanced studies in Holy Scripture.[4] At first, the Institute prepared students for exams at the Pontifical Biblical Commission. In 1916, it was licensed by Pope Benedict XV to grant academic degrees in the name of the commission. In 1928, it was licensed by Pope Pius XI to grant doctorates in affiliation with the Pontifical Gregorian University, independently of the commission.[5]
A branch was opened in Jerusalem by Alexis Mallon in 1927[6] and received the mummy of Iret-hor-iru as a gift from Jesuits in Alexandria in 1928.[7]
In 1932, the Oriental Faculty was founded.
All of its rectors have been Jesuit priests. Cardinal Bea is particularly noteworthy for having defended the university against charges of Modernism before the Second Vatican Council.
Among the prominent alumni of the Biblicum, the following were elevated to the episcopate and/or the cardinalate: