Pope Francis greets the public in St Peter's Square in the Vatican City. Image via Wikimedia Commons
In a surprising turnaround for the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has called on his followers to accept the theories of evolution and the Big Bang, dismissing the notion that God is a ‘magician’.
As arguably the most progressive pope ever to head one of the largest religions in the world, Pope Francis in his speech to followers yesterday went as far as saying God was not in possession of a ‘magic wand’ capable of creating everything.
This represents a considerable turnaround for a church that has for more than a century advocated for the theories of the universe’s grand design and creationism, particularly Pope Francis’ predecessor Pope Benedict XVI.
In his speech, Pope Francis dismissed the idea that the notion of a higher power and the theories of science could not go hand in hand.
“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. Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve.”
Likewise, speaking of the Big Bang theory, he said these established scientific theories propagate the idea of God.
“The Big Bang, which today is held as the beginning of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator, but requires it.
“Evolution in nature is not at odds with the notion of creation because evolution presupposes the creation of beings that evolve.”
