The National Autonomous University of Mexico gives the Vatican Library a copy of the oldest medical manuscript written in America

On November 25, The Vatican Library has received a copy of the Codex de la Cruz-Badiano, It is considered the oldest medical text written in America; The Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) handed over the version illustrating the work of the indigenous people in medical matters, all based on the observation and use of natural elements.

The The Codex de la Cruz-Badiano was prepared at the request of Don Francisco de Mendozason of the Viceroy of New Spain, and once finished it was sent to King Carlos V as a gift.

It was in 1902 when the document was incorporated into the collection of the Vatican Library, and 90 years later, in the framework of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the Vatican, Pope John Paul II returned it to Mexicowhere it is under the protection of the National Library of Anthropology and History.

According to information from Vatican News, the copy of the Codex de la Cruz-Badiano that was delivered a few days ago to the Vatican Library is New edition with translation and criticism section– From this work that was written after the conquest.

Librarian of the Holy Roman Church, Angelo Vincenzo Zanni, received the delegation of the Faculty of Medicine of the United Nations Universityheaded by its Director German Fajardo Dolceand members of the After Education and Culture of the Mexican Episcopal Conference, whom he thanked for providing this work.

Written in Nahuatl in 1552

The Archbishop of Leon in Mexico and the Head of the Educational and Cultural Dimension of CEM also participated in handing over the document. Alfonso Corteswho mentioned it For more than 470 years, the Codex Alimentarius has been of benefit to mankindIt served that faith and science, the meeting between two worlds, as well as the spiritual and physical dimensions of man, as well as after nature and culture, are studied and integrated into a transcendent vision, to serve humanity.

For his part, he is The Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America of the Holy See, Rodrigo Guerra, thanked the UN Mission in Darfur for this effort. and other institutions that teach ways of collaborating between different dimensions and visions of complex history.

The Codex de la Cruz-Badiano was written in Nahuatl circa 1552 at the Colegio de la Santa Cruz in Tlatelolco by the indigenous physician Martín de la Cruz and translated into Latin by the indigenous Juan Badiano.

The translation of the manuscript is the result Joint work of the Mexican Church and Medical SchoolA, who agreed to implement this cooperation within the framework of the “Academic and Memorial Meeting, on the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Mexican State and the Holy See: “Open Secularism and Religious Freedom, a Contemporary Vision””, held on April 26, 2022 in Mexico.