On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the decree Motu Proprio, with which Pope Pius XI established the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology, the Rector, Professor Philppe Pergola, and the Academic Council invited alumni and friends of the Institute to the celebration on the Feast of Pope Saint Damasus and the conferring of the degree Laurea honoris causa on Professor Pere de Palol of the University of Barcellona. The festivities included a solemn Mass at the Basilica of Sta. Prassede celebrated by Monsignor Zenon Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education and Grand Chancillor of the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology, and a commemorative ceremony at the Institute presided over by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, and Monsignore Giuseppe Pittau, Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education.

Contributed by Jessica Dello Russo