From Pope Francis’ chemistry studies to the graduation in Mathematics of Leone XIV, the Church looks more attention to science.
The election of Leo XIVto the century Robert Francis Prevost, brought a rare element to the papal throne: a degree in mathematics (as well as in philosophy). Formed at Villanova University before his religious vocation, Leone XIV is the first American pontiff and one of the very few to own one high -level scientific preparation. A choice that marks the times and, who knows, that perhaps tells us a church attentive also to the exact numbers and sciences, in an era in which artificial intelligence, climate change And bioethics They place new moral challenges.
The chemist Pope Francis
But Leone XIV is not an isolated case. His predecessor, Pope Francishe already brought a scientific sensitivity with him: Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born, he had studied chemistry And he had graduated as an industrial technician in Argentina. Before becoming Jesuit, he had worked in a laboratory and had been a research assistant. This background has perhaps favored its opening to language of scienceas his words on the change climatic and its frequent openings to world academic and research.
Not really scientists, but …
Going back in time we find Papi who, although not having formal titles in the scientific field, have left an important imprint in the relationship between faith and science. Pius XII (1939-1958), for example, was the first Pope to publicly accept the theory of big Bang as compatible with the Catholic faith, relying on the ideas of the Belgian priest and cosmologist Georges Lemaîtreone of the fathers of theory.
Further back again, Benedict XIV (Pope from 1740 to 1758) He distinguished himself for his enlightened attitude: he promoted his studies medicineinstituted observers astronomical And he was among the first to consult scientists on ethical and natural issues. For the time he was an innovator.
Gregorio, the Pope of the calendar
Finally it is worth mentioning Gregory XIIIthe Pope who reformed the calendar in 1582, entrusting the calculations to the Jesuit astronomer Cristoforo Clavio: So the Gregorian calendar was born, the one we still use today.
Of course, there is no shortage of more controversial pages, such as the process a Galileo Galilei under Urban VIIIwhich in 1633 condemned the Tuscan scientist for supporting the Copernican system. But that wound was partially remedied only centuries later, when John Paul IIin 1992, recognized the mistakes of the Church against Galilei and reaffirmed The importance of science as an instrument of knowledge of creation.
Who knows that today, with Leone XIV, the presence of the science at the top of the church It does not really open a new season for the relationship between faith and reason.
