Since 1913 · Jerusalem
Where Jesus lived and the Church began
The Jerusalem campus of the Pontifical Gregorian University: the origins of the Church’s history and theology studied with all the Gregorian’s disciplines.
The centenary year
Centenary 1927–2027
In 2027 the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem marks a hundred years since it began its work. The Institute celebrates the centenary with a year of courses and events in Jerusalem.
The centenary programme- January 2027Doctoral Program in Biblical Theology
- February 2027Pilot seminar on peace education
- 28 March – 3 April 2027In the Footsteps of Jesus and Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini
- 24 April – 2 May 2027Course in political fraternity
- 3 – 31 May 2027Residential programme on Judaism and Jewish–Christian relations
- June 2027Course for students of the High School of Theology of Los Angeles
- July 2027Course for Jesuit students
- September 2027Archaeology course for students of the Biblical Institute
- 2027Fall Semester
Who we are
Founded in 1925 and established in 1927 as the Jerusalem branch of the Pontificio Istituto Biblico, the PBI has long served as a centre for professors and students engaged in archaeological research and the study of biblical languages.
- 1913Father Alexis Mallon, S.J. came to Jerusalem in 1913 to set up such a branch but was prevented from doing so because of the War of 1914–18. He returned in 1919.
- 1927The cornerstone of the building was laid in October 1925 and the inauguration took place in July 1927.
- 2024Following the integration of the Pontificio Istituto Biblico, the Pontificio Istituto Orientale, and the Collegium Maximum, the PBI serves as the Jerusalem campus of the Pontifical Gregorian University (PUG).
The Institute
Five things we do here
- AcademicsBiblical and theological studies in the land where the events of the Bible took place.
- FormationProgrammes for Jesuits, the Spiritual Exercises, and the daily life of the chapel.
- LibraryThe Library of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem, part of the network of libraries of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
- MuseumWelcome to the Museum of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem.
- ResearchOn 24 November 1929 the Jesuit Fathers of the Pontifical Biblical Institute began their excavations at Teleilat Ghassul, on the east bank of the Jordan just north of the Dead Sea.
Study in Jerusalem
Study in Jerusalem
The Jerusalem campus of the Pontifical Gregorian University offers students a unique opportunity to pursue biblical and theological studies in the land where the events of the Bible took place. Among the institutional partners are:
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem
- Studium Biblicum Franciscanum
- Bethlehem University
- Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land (AOCTS)
Museum
Collections of the Institute
The Egyptian collectionMost of our visitors come to see the mummy, the only mummy in any museum in Israel. But the collection goes beyond it, from prehistory to Coptic Egypt.
Teleilat Ghassul collectionFinds from the Institute’s excavations at Teleilat Ghassul (1929–38, 1959–60), a major Chalcolithic site that remains the type-site for the period.
Visitors’ guide
Teleilat Ghassul — the type-site of an entire period
Finds from the Institute’s excavations at Teleilat Ghassul (1929–38, 1959–60), a major Chalcolithic site that remains the type-site for the period.
News & events
Lectures, conferences, notices
Public lectures are held in the aula and announced here; the archive keeps past seasons.
All announcements- POB Program 2026. The Impact of the Relations Between the Hebrew University and Catholic InstitutionsGuided visit · PBI · 10:30
- Reading in the Gospel of JohnSeminar · PBI · 08:30
- NoticeThe centenary year of the PBI in JerusalemIn 2027 the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem marks a hundred years since it began its work. The Institute will celebrate the centenary with a programme of courses throughout the year.
Hospitality
Staying at the Institute
We are delighted to welcome you to the PBI and hope that your stay with us will be both pleasant and fruitful.
