The Holy See has made public a chirographsigned by Pope Francis, by which the pontiff updates the status of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy constituting it as an "Institute ad instar Facultatis for the study of the diplomatic sciences, thus increasing the number of similar institutions provided for by the Const. ap. Veritatis Gaudium".
Thus, "the Academy will be governed by the common or particular norms of the canonical order, applicable to it, and by other dispositions given by the Holy See for its institutions of higher education" and "will confer the academic degrees of Second and Third Cycle in Diplomatic Sciences".
As Cardinal Parolin explained, "from now on, the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy will be able to confer the academic degrees of Licentiate (equivalent to Master's) and Doctor (PhD), offering its alumni a formation that integrates legal, historical, political and economic disciplines and, of course, specific knowledge in diplomatic sciences."
The union between diplomatic work and evangelizing mission
Parolin pointed out that "the reform aims to strengthen the link between the research and academic training of future papal diplomats and the concrete challenges they will face in their missions abroad. The papal diplomat is not only an expert in negotiation techniques, but a witness of faith, committed to overcoming cultural, political and ideological barriers, and to building bridges of peace and justice."
In this sense, the Pope's reflection in the chirograph is framed when he emphasizes that "the mission entrusted to the Pope's diplomats combines this action, at once priestly and evangelizing, placed at the service of the particular Churches, with representation before the public authorities" and how "the diplomat must constantly engage in a solid and continuous formative process. It is not enough to limit oneself to the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, but it is necessary to develop a method of work and a way of life that will allow him to deeply understand the dynamics of international relations and to be appreciated in the interpretation of the achievements and difficulties that an increasingly synodal Church must face".
The reform of this pontifical academy and the elevation to the level of civil faculties also responds to the current demand for "a preparation more adequate to the demands of the times of those ecclesiastics who, coming from the various dioceses of the world, and having already acquired formation in the sacred sciences and developed a first pastoral activity, after a careful selection, are preparing to continue their priestly mission in the diplomatic service of the Holy See. It is not only a matter of providing an academic and scientific education at a high quality level, but of taking care that their action will be ecclesial".
