Pope Leo XIV meets with international museum directors

Pope Leo XIV addressed members of the Bizot Group, an international association of major museum organizers, at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. The meeting focused on the theme of 'materiality' and the relationship between physical objects and artistic interpretation.

During his address, the Pope emphasized the Catholic Church's historical connection to the arts. He described art as a medium through which human ingenuity transfigures matter, suggesting that the creative process allows humans to imitate divine work by imbuing material with transcendent meaning.

He further characterized matter as a form of memory, noting that works preserved in museums serve as historical testimonies that connect generations. The Pope commended the directors for their roles in protecting cultural heritage that belongs to all of humanity.