As pilgrims make their way to Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year, the Vatican Apostolic Library has announced a new exhibition connecting historical journeys to modern pilgrimages through a collection of rare 19th-century travel documents and contemporary artistic interpretations. Source: CNA.
Opening to the public on February 15, the En Route exhibition represents the sixth instalment in the library’s ongoing dialogue between its historical patrimony and contemporary art, initiated in 2021.
“There is, of course, a connection to the Jubilee, because the Jubilee involves travel — pilgrims come, and then they depart. So, within the Jubilee, the theme of travel is present,” Don Giacomo Cardinali, commissioner of the Exhibition Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Library, said.
“Each person interprets this theme according to their own nature, and we have interpreted it according to the nature of the library, which is a place of research, scientific activity, encounter, and culture.”
The exhibition’s title comes from an unusual newspaper series published by French journalists Lucien Leroy and Henri Papillaud. They funded their worldwide journey by printing editions in various cities they visited.
A significant portion of the exhibition features the collection of Italian diplomat Cesare Poma (1862–1932), comprising about 1200 newspapers from remote regions printed in various languages across five continents.
Three contemporary artists have been commissioned to interpret these historical materials.
Lorenzo Jovanotti Cherubini, a renowned Italian singer and globe-trotter, presents his travel instruments, musical equipment, drawings, and a specially created travel journal with accompanying soundscape.
Icelandic artist Kristjana S. Williams worked directly with Vatican archives to create new artworks, including a map incorporating elements from the Vatican Library archives.
Maria Grazia Chiuri, artistic director of Dior’s women’s collections, developed a digital installation examining six Victorian-era women who undertook solo world travels, exploring the relationship between fashion and journey.
The exhibition, at the Sala Barberini and adjacent halls of the Vatican Apostolic Library, is open until December 20.
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Vatican Library exhibition traces historic journeys during Jubilee (By AC Wimmer, CNA)
