Non-perturbative pion matrix element of a twist-2 operator from the lattice

We give a continuum limit value of the lowest moment of a twist-2 operator in pion states from non-perturbative lattice calculations. We find that the non-perturbatively obtained renormalization group invariant matrix element is [x] (RGI) = 0.179( 11), which corresponds to [x](MS) over bar ( 2 GeV) = 0.246( 15). In obtaining the renormalization group invariant matrix element, we have controlled important systematic errors that appear in typical lattice simulations, such as non-perturbative renormalization,. nite size effects and effects of a non-vanishing lattice spacing. The crucial limitation of our calculation is the use of the quenched approximation. Another question that remains not fully clarified is the chiral extrapolation of the numerical data.