The Documentation Centre and Library of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development hold a library collection of about 30,000 volumes, including books and documentation files.
From 1970 to 1989, classification was done manually. Therefore the documentation collected during that period is contained in a paper catalogue. Since 1990, the classification of resources has been computerised.
In general, items of interest to the Dicastery are filed according to a categorisation system that facilitates their retrieval for study and research purposes.
The main topics dealt with in the volumes are: the magisterium of the Catholic Church, and in particular the papal magisterium; the Social Doctrine of the Church in its many levels; human rights, including in particular international and humanitarian law, and the right to work and medical care; socio-economic issues; ecumenism; social pastoral care.
A large section of the Library holds volumes and reports from the main International Organisations (UN, Conseil de l'Europe, Union Européenne, OSCE).
The Reading Room (emeroteca) is also well stocked with over 200 titles including Italian and foreign newspapers, magazines and periodicals, some of historical value and difficult to find in Italy.
As a result of the merger of the four previous Pontifical Councils (Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Pontifical Council Cor Unum and Pontifical Council for for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers), as a result of the reform directed by Pope Francis, and expressed in the Apostolic Letter Humanam Progressionem, the Reading Room contains the periodicals published by the individual Councils: "People on the Move" (of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People) and "Dolentium Hominum" (of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers), which thus constitute a valuable "historical collection".
The Library contains the official documents published over the years by the individual Pontifical Councils.
Hours of Operation
The Documentation Centre and the Library of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development are open to the public by appointment.
Monday / Wednesday / Friday - 9.00 - 14.00
Tuesday / Thursday - 9.00 - 14.00 /15.00-18.00
For information: