The Vatican Archives constitute one of the oldest and most significant archives in the world, holding collections covering a vast array of historical matters: the history of the Church, cultural and political institutions across the world, the modern state, and more.
Launched centuries before the emergence of modern archival practices, the complex and — in the words of one scholar — “rather chaotic” collections presented a daunting challenge to scholars. Until, that is, a team of archivists and historians from the University of Michigan partnered with the Vatican to change that. Join us for a discussion with retired Bentley Historical Library Director Francis Blouin to learn about the nature and content of the Vatican Archives, the history of an unusual collaboration, some of the intrigue attached to it, and some surprising recent developments.