Instituted by Pius IX (6 January 1852) "to look after the ancient cemeteries, to conserve, explore, study and care for the memories of the first Christians, their monuments and the venerable Basilicas in Rome and on Roman soil together with the Ordinaries in other Dioceses,” it was declared Pontifical by Pius XI (Motu Proprio I primitivi cimiteri, 11 December 1925) with a widening of powers. For the Lateran Pacts (art. 33 of the Concordat) its authority was extended and it was allowed to act on all Italian territories. The new Concordat of 1984 (art. 12) confirmed this status for the Christian catacombs.

In the sphere of dialogue with the arts the Council for Culture, through its department for Art and Faith, works closely with the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology.

Given, also, the shared presidency of the two institutions in the person of Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, we signal here the internet pages of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology.