Empirical faith

While the Catholic Church was a patron of learning, its relationship with science was complex and at times adversarial.

- BY NIRMAL JOVIAL

On February 26, while admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Pope Francis penned a message—not to the faithful, but to leaders in the fields of science and medical research who were to gather at the Vatican. The message spoke about the poly-crisis the world faces, from war to epidemics, and was addressed to the participants of the General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, held in Rome from March 3 to 5, on the theme: 'The End of the World? Crises, Responsibilities, Hopes'. “To avoid remaining immobile, anchored in our certainties, habits and fears, is to listen carefully to the contribution of areas of scientific knowledge,” wrote the Pope.