The solemn Inaugural Session of the third academic year was held on Sunday, 18 December 1938. It was presided over by His Holiness Pius XI. In his address to the Pope, the President, Fr. Agostino Gemelli, gave an account of the activities of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, noting that, like every year, the most recent scientific studies had been published in the volumes of Commentationes and Acta. He also reported that several Academicians had taken part in various international scientific conferences. During the Session, the "Pius XI Prize" was awarded for the first time to biologist Corneille Heymans, who was able to receive it directly from the Holy Father.