Wow Historic 15th Century Bible Presented to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican - a Masterpiece from 1455 AD - VIDEO
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A Historic Return - 15th-century Bible Visits the Vatican!
After more than half a millennium, one of the world’s most exquisite manuscripts has made a brief but historic return to the Holy See. The Bible of Duke Borso d’Este, a 15th-century masterpiece of illumination, was presented to Pope Leo XIV in the Apostolic Palace before its scheduled return to Modena.
A Gesture of Gratitude
The volumes were delivered by Ignazio La Russa, President of the Italian Senate, as a thank-you for the Pontiff’s visit to the Senate Library during the Jubilee celebrations last December. Accompanied by Senate Secretary General Federico Toniato and Estensi Galleries Director Alessandra Necci, the presentation marked a rare intersection of Italian state heritage and Vatican history.
The "Most Beautiful Book in the World"
Created between 1455 and 1461, the Bible is a pinnacle of Renaissance art. Its production coincided exactly with the dawn of the printing age, beginning the same year Gutenberg completed his first printed Bibles.
Masterpiece of Miniature: The two-volume work features intricate illustrations using rare pigments, including lapis lazuli sourced from Afghanistan.
The Treccani Connection: Once part of the Duke's private collection, the Bible was eventually purchased by Giovanni Treccani and gifted to the Italian state in 1923.
A Rare Honor: Pope Leo XIV is now only the fourth Bishop of Rome to handle the original text, joining Paul II (1471), Pius IX, and John Paul II.
Timeline of a Masterpiece
| Date | Event |
| 1455–1461 | The Bible is commissioned and created for Borso d'Este. |
| 1471 | Borso brings the Bible to St. Peter’s; Paul II names him Duke. |
| 1923 | Giovanni Treccani donates the Bible to the Italian state. |
| Nov 2025 | Presented to Pope Leo XIV after 555 years away from the Vatican. |
| Nov 22, 2025 | To be displayed at the Senate Chapter House for the Treccani centenary. |
"The Borso d'Este Bible is considered the absolute masterpiece of the art of illumination... the first Pope to receive it in the Vatican in over half a millennium."
This historic viewing precedes a public exhibition at the Senate Chapter House, where the Bible will be on display from November 22 through January 15, celebrating both the Jubilee and the centenary of the Treccani Encyclopedia.
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