The Pontifical Biblical Institute (it: Pontificio Istituto Biblico) in Rome, Italy is an institution of the Holy See run by the Jesuits that offers instruction at the university level. It was founded by Pope Pius X in an Apostolic Letter, Vinea Electa, in 1909 as a center of advanced studies in Holy Scripture in order to promote in the most effective manner possible the doctrine and all the connected studies, according to the spirit of the Catholic Church, according to the founding letter of 7 May 1909.
From the start the Institute has been administered by the Society of Jesus: its first Rector was the Rev. Leopold Fonck, S.J.
At first the Institute prepared students for exams at the Pontifical Biblical Commission; it was licensed in 1916 by Pope Benedict XV to grant academic degrees in the name of the Biblical Commission, and by Pope Pius XI to grant doctorates, associating the Institute with the Pontifical Gregorian University. In 1927 a branch was opened in Jerusalem. In 1932 it was reorganized by Pope Pius XII into the College of Ancient Near East Studies, commonly called the Orientalist College.
The Institute is a member of the Gregorian Consortium.
Read more about Pontifical Biblical Institute: Rectors
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