Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

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[edit] History

The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established by the Holy Father John Paul II on 1 January 1994 (AAS 86 [1994], 213), with the aim of promoting the study and progress of the social sciences, primarily economics, sociology, law and political science. The Academy, through an appropriate dialogue, thus offers the Church the elements which she can use in the development of her social doctrine, and reflects on the application of that doctrine in contemporary society. The Academy, which is autonomous, maintains a close relationship with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

(from Art. 1 of the Statutes of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences).

The current President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) is Harvard Law School Professor Mary Ann Glendon, appointed on 19 January 1994 by Pope John Paul II as the first female president of a Pontifical Academy. The Academy is headquartered in the Casina Pio IV, together with its sister Academy, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, at the heart of the Vatican Gardens.