Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

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The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established in January 1994 by Pope John Paul II. It is headquartered in the Casina Pio IV in the Vatican. Professor Edmond Malinvaud was its first president. The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences' methods have much in common with the practices developed by Academies all over the world, but it has the special task of entering into dialogue with the Church. Its scientific activities are intended to be organised and focused so as to promote this dialogue in the best possible way.

[edit] History

The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established by Pope 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.