The Vatican Library is launching a historic preservation project to restore and digitize over 80,000 ancient manuscripts—an effort that will make some of the Church’s most precious documents accessible to the world and preserve them for generations to come. The undertaking, made possible through a partnership with the Colnaghi Foundation, marks a major step in protecting the literary and spiritual legacy housed within the Vatican’s walls.
The Vatican Library holds more than 82,000 manuscripts and 1.6 million printed books—including over 8,000 incunabula, the rare books printed before 1501. These priceless works include treasures like Botticelli’s illustrations for Dante’s Divine Comedy and the only nearly complete surviving copy of Cicero’s Republic. But time has taken its toll. “The preserved organic material is in a very deteriorated state and would disintegrate if we don’t take action to restore it in the best possible way,” said Candida Lodovica de Angelis Corvi of the Colnaghi Foundation, in an interview with ACI Prensa.
To meet this urgent need, the Colnaghi Foundation has signed a five-year agreement with the Vatican that includes an “ambitious digitization project” aimed at preserving the manuscripts and making them available to scholars worldwide, according to Lodovica. Using a unique scanner developed by the Factum company—a Colnaghi subsidiary—the project will not only digitize these fragile texts but also uncover new details embedded within the documents. Lodovica explained that the scanner “can obtain more details, for example, determining the date of the [book or document] itself,” and it can even reveal layers of writing or sketches previously hidden beneath the surface. “There could be a secret message, or it could simply be the result of the need to reuse a piece of paper,” she added.
This project goes beyond digital access. It includes a full architectural renovation of the Vatican Library, entrusted to the internationally renowned David Chipperfield Architects. These combined efforts underscore the Vatican’s deep commitment to cultural preservation and global scholarship.
As Monsignor Cesare Pasini, prefect emeritus of the Vatican Library, expressed: “We wish to express our profound gratitude to the Colnaghi Foundation for its generous support of several important library projects, which reinforce our commitment to the dissemination of culture.”
To celebrate this Church-art partnership, a rare exhibition titled Codex opened on May 26, showcasing 14 previously unseen works from private collections, including masterpieces by Caravaggio, Titian, Bernini, and Michelangelo. Viewings require a special permit from the Vatican and will only run until June 2, after which the works will return to their private owners.
Among the standout pieces is Van Dyck’s St. Peter the Penitent, a deeply human depiction of the apostle’s repentance, paired with a letter from Archbishop Antonio Salinas granting a plenary indulgence to the faithful—a letter preserved in the Vatican’s archives. Visitors also encounter The Triumph of Flora by Mario Nuzzi, Michelangelo’s sketch for The Adoration of the Brazen Serpent, and Caravaggio’s striking Portrait of Maffeo Barberini, depicting the future Pope Urban VIII.
As this vast effort unfolds, the Vatican’s collaboration with the Colnaghi Foundation promises to ensure that sacred art and Church history remain not only preserved but vibrantly alive—reaching both scholars and the faithful around the world.
This is an incredible initiative by the Vatican Library to preserve and share these ancient manuscripts with the world. The collaboration with the Colnaghi Foundation seems like a perfect match, especially with the advanced scanning technology they’re using. It’s fascinating to think about the hidden layers of writing or sketches that might be uncovered—could there be long-lost secrets or unexpected discoveries? I also appreciate the architectural renovation by David Chipperfield Architects, as it shows a holistic approach to preservation. However, I wonder how accessible these digitized documents will be to the general public, not just scholars. Do you think this project will inspire other institutions to undertake similar efforts? The Vatican’s commitment to cultural preservation is commendable, and I’m excited to see what this project uncovers!