Pope Francis Affirms Evolution And The Big Bang Theory

Pope Francis spoke to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences at the Vatican on Monday to affirm that evolution and the theory of Big Bang are real. He said, “God is not magician with a magic wand…but the Creator who brought everything to life.”

The pope’s comments put an end to the theories of creationism and intelligent design as doctrine that have been encouraged by previous leaders of the Catholic Church.

Francis explains both scientific theories are compatible with the religion’s teachings. He argues that the chaos of the Big Bang theory requires the existence of a creator. “The beginning of the world is not the work of chaos that owes its origin to something else, but it derives directly from a supreme principle that creates out of love.”

For evolution, Pope Francis posits God had to create the beings involved. He elaborated that God “created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws that he gave to each one so they would reach their fulfilment.”

Both explanations depict God more as a clockmaker rather than the idea of a magician Francis discourages.

Other popes have taken a similar progressive path. Pope Piux XII welcomed both theories while John Paul II said evolution was a fact.

Benedict XVI and his advisors supported intelligent design. They claimed Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection on its own didn’t explain the complexities of the world.

Even though Francis and Benedict have disagreed on some issues, Francis still praised him during his speech. “Benedict XVI was a great pope: great for the power and penetration of his intellect, great for his significant contribution to theology, great for his love of the church and of human beings, great for his virtue and piety.”

Pope Francis still insists that the spiritual element of humans comes from a willful act of God.

Pope Francis Affirms Evolution And The Big Bang Theory