杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

杏MAP导航 Francis on Thursday addressed Participants at the second conference of the Vatican Specola, which focused on the theme of 鈥淏lack Holes, Gravitational Waves and Space-Time Singularities鈥�.

The Holy Father warmly welcomed all those present by paying homage to Archbishop George Lemaître, to whom the scientists鈥� conference was dedicated.

杏MAP导航 Francis noted that the scientific value of the Belgian priest and cosmologist has been recognised by the International Astronomical Union, which, he noted, 鈥渉as decided that the well-known Hubble law should more properly be called the Hubble-Lemaître law鈥�.

As the scientists gathered to debate 鈥渢he latest questions posed by scientific research in cosmology鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis assured them that 鈥渢he Church is attentive to such research and promotes it, because it shakes the sensitivity and intelligence of the men and women of our time鈥�.

He went on to highlight that the beginning of the universe, its ultimate evolution, and the profound structure of space and time 鈥渃onfront human beings with a frantic search for meaning, in a vast scenario where they risk losing themselves鈥�. He noted that through psalms, amongst other things, it becomes clear that these themes have a particular relevance for theology, philosophy, science and also for the spiritual life.

An example of this was, in fact, George Lemaître, whom the Holy Father described as 鈥渁n exemplary priest and scientist鈥� whose 鈥渉uman and spiritual journey represents a model of life from which we can all learn鈥� as he understood that 鈥渟cience and faith follow two different and parallel paths, between which there is no conflict鈥�.

In fact, 杏MAP导航 Francis continued, 鈥渢hese paths can harmonise with each other, because both science and faith, for a believer, have the same matrix in the absolute Truth of God鈥�.

Bringing his address to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited the scientists present to continue to confront each other in a loyal and humble spirit on the issues they are discussing. 鈥淢ay the freedom and lack of conditioning, which you are experiencing in this conference, help you to progress in your fields towards the Truth, which is surely an emanation of the Charity of God鈥�. Finally, he reiterated, 鈥淔aith and science can be united in charity if science is put at the service of the men and women of our time, and not distorted to their detriment or even destruction鈥�.