"The Big Bang, which today stands at the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator," the pope also said. In fact, "it requires it." For him, "Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of Creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve." However, "taking the Creator's place [. . .] is a grave sin" that "can destroy Creation".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - For Pope Francis, 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 for the Church and of human beings, great for his virtue and piety." The pontiff made the statement during a brief ceremony for the unveiling of a bronze bust in honour of Pope Benedict XVI, at the headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

For this occasion, Francis also touched on the issue of the evolving concept of nature, which the Academy is discussing. "The Big Bang, which today stands at the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator," he said. In fact, "it requires it." Indeed, "Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of Creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve."

Earlier, speaking about his predecessor, the Holy Father said, "The bust of Benedict XVI reminds everyone of the person and the face of the beloved Pope Ratzinger. It also reminds us of his spirit: that of his teachings, example, works, devotion to Church, and current 'monastic' life."

"This spirit, far from crumbling with the passing of time, will appear greater and more powerful from generation to generation. 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 for the Church and of human beings, great for his virtue and piety."

"As you know, his love for truth is not limited to theology and philosophy, but is open to science. His love for science spilt over into concern for scientists, regardless of race, nationality, civilisation, and religion as well as his concern for the Academy since Saint John Paul II appointed him as a member. He was able to honour the Academy with his presence and words, and he appointed many of its members, including the current President Werner Arber."

Likewise, "Pope Benedict XVI invited, for the first time, a President of this Academy to attend the Synod on the new evangelisation, aware of the importance of science in modern culture. No one could ever say of him that study and science made him and his love for God and his neighbour wither. On the contrary, knowledge, wisdom and prayer enlarged his heart and his spirit. Let us thank God for the gift he gave the church and the world with the existence and the pontificate of Pope Benedict."

In his address concerning "the highly complex issue of the evolving concept of nature," Pope Francis said that "when we read the account of Creation in Genesis we might image God as a magician, holding a magic wand, who can do all things. But that is not how it is. He created beings and let them develop in accordance with the internal laws that He gave each one, so that they might reach their fullest."

"He gave autonomy to the beings of the universe whilst ensuring their continued presence, giving essence to every reality. And so Creation unfolded century after century, millennia after millennia, until it became what we know today, for God is not a demiurge or a wizard but the Creator who gives essence to all entities. "

"When, on the sixth day of the story of Genesis, man was created, God gave humans another autonomy, an autonomy different from that of nature, which is freedom. He told man to name all things, and move forward in the course of history. He made him responsible for Creation, and gave him dominion over all things created, in order for him to develop them until then of time.

"Scientists, especially Christian Scientists, are called to examine the future of humanity and the earth. As free and responsible people, they must help prepare it, preserve it, and eliminate the risks to both the natural and human environments."

"At the same time, scientists must trust that nature hides in its evolutionary mechanisms certain potentialities that the intellect and freedom can discover and implement in order to reach the development designed by the Creator. Therefore, no matter how limited, man's action can share in God's power and build a world fit for its dual bodily and spiritual life, creating a humane world for all human beings and not for a group or class of privileged people."

"This hope and trust in God, nature's maker, and in the ability of the human spirit can provide researchers with new energy and profound serenity. Still, it is true that man's action - when his freedom becomes autonomy, which is not freedom but autonomy - can destroy Creation as man takes the Creator's place. And this is a grave sin against God the Creator."

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