On December 15, 2025, Fr Werner Mayer, S.J. passed away at the age of 86. Born on November 5, 1939, in Bonbruck (Germany), he entered the Society of Jesus on April 26, 1958. After his priestly formation, he continued his specialized studies in Near Eastern philology, earning a doctorate in Assyriology from the University of Münster (1975).

He then began his teaching career at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. He was professor of Akkadian at the Faculty of Ancient Eastern Studies (Orientalic Faculty) from 1979 to 2009, earning the title of emeritus. From 1977 to 1989, he was associate editor of the journal Orientalia, subsequently serving as its director from 1989 to 2018. He also edited two important academic series: "Studia Pohl" and "Analecta Orientalia." From 1987 to 1996, he was Dean and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Ancient Near Eastern Studies.

Throughout his academic career, he made significant contributions to setting standards in the field of Ancient Near Eastern Studies. In 2023, due to health problems, he transferred to the infirmary of the General Curia of the Society of Jesus (Rome).