Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal congregation at Palace of Holy Office, Vatican City.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith works in a large building on Piazza San Lorenzo in Piscibus in Vatican City, handling religious discipline and doctrinal questions for the Catholic Church worldwide. Its offices spread across several floors and contain archives, meeting rooms, and workspaces for theologians and church officials.
Pope Paul III founded this institution in 1542 as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition to preserve Catholic orthodoxy. Over the centuries it changed its name and duties several times, until Pope Francis transformed it into a dicastery in 2022.
The institution oversees the work of the International Theological Commission and the Pontifical Biblical Commission, which study theological questions and biblical interpretation. These two bodies bring together scholars from around the world to produce opinions that help the Pope clarify religious questions.
The building stands on Piazza San Lorenzo in Piscibus, about ten minutes on foot from St. Peter's Basilica. The institution is not open for tourist visits because it carries out ongoing administrative and investigative work.
The dicastery is the oldest department of the Roman Curia and is currently led by Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández. Its name changed from congregation to dicastery to reflect the reorganization of Vatican administration under Pope Francis.
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