The Archivio Segreto Vaticano, the Secret Archives, or to use its full and official name, Archivum secretum apostolicum Vaticanum, has handled official Church business for centuries. The modern Archives were established around 1610 but its collections include a very large number of documents that go back much further in time. Exactly how far is unknown; the Archives certainly contain a document that dates back to the eighth century but others, possibly even older ones, remain to be discovered.
To be admitted into the Secret Archives, one first needs a pass to Vatican City…