The newly appointed Vatican Ambassador to Israel, Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, visited the Israel Museum’s Archaeology Department this week together with senior members of the Vatican delegation.
Lingua was accompanied by Msgr. Nicola Di Ponzio, deputy head of mission; cultural attache Fr. David Steffy; and other members of the Vatican mission.
During the visit, the delegation toured the exhibition “A Voice from the Desert – The Great Isaiah Scroll,” which displays some of the most historically significant archaeological artifacts connected to the period of early Christianity, including rare evidence related to crucifixion during the time of Jesus.
The ambassador expressed admiration for the museum’s collection and, in particular, for the Great Isaiah Scroll.
The delegation was hosted by Israel Museum Board of Directors chairman Adv. Isaac Molho; museum director-general Prof. Yasha Jacob Grobman; David Mevorach, senior curator in the Archaeology Department; and Hagit Maoz, curator of the Complete Isaiah Scroll.
Pope Leo XIV appointed Lingua
Lingua was appointed to the role in January by Pope Leo XIV and presented his credentials to President Isaac Herzog in May.