Theologian: Francis was a man of God and a man of science

Professor Neil Ormerod, a fellow of ISCAST-Christianity and Science in Conversation, said that, as a young man, Jorge Bergoglio graduated with a chemical technician’s diploma and worked for several years as a lab technician.

“In this regard, he was the first pope ever to have any significant exposure to the workings of modern science. Others may have read and written about science, but they did not get their hands dirty in the laboratory,” Professor Ormerod said.

As Pope, Francis’ appreciation of science was most evident in his engagement with environmental concerns. He made clear in the first weeks of his papacy his intention to write an encyclical on the environment.

“In planning to write this document, Francis consulted widely with theologians and with scientists. Prominent among these was Hans Joachim Schnellnhuber, an atmospheric physicist and known atheist, who also was one of three people who officially launched the encyclical, titled Laudato Si’, on June 18, 2015.”

The Pope would later appoint Schnellnhuber to the Pontifical Academy of Science.

Professor Ormerod wrote that Laudato Si’ made it clear that Pope Francis “embraced the science of human-induced climate change as a result of the burning of fossil fuels”.

The Pope wrote: “There is an urgent need to develop policies so that, in the next few years, the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced, for example, substituting for fossil fuels and developing sources of renewable energy.”

Critics within the Church said that, on such matters, a pope is not infallible.

“This is correct, but it belies the fact that the Pope can make prudential judgements based on the best available scientific evidence. In so doing, he sought out leading scientific figures,” Professor Ormerod said.

A 2023 apostolic exhortation titled Laudate Deum was written expressly to influence negotiations at the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai.

“Pope Francis was indeed a ‘man of science’,” Professor Ormerod said.

“He took science seriously and incorporated the best scientific conclusions into his teaching on the environment. He valued the marvellous world that science has opened up for us.”

FULL STORY

Pope Francis was undeniably a man of God — but how many know he was also a man of science? – ABC Religion & Ethics (By Neil Ormerod/ABC)

Professor Neil Ormerod – SCD (Sydney College of Divinity)