At the plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Pope Francis recalled St. II. Pope János Pál's prayer, with which he thanked the Virgin Mary that the world did not know about nuclear war. Even now, we pray to Our Lady to protect us from this horror when the third world war is taking place, said the Holy Father.
The theme of the plenary session raises the current key question of humanity:
Basic science for human development, peace and the health of our planet.
For the first time, Pope Francis answered the question of why the popes claimed a scientific academy as early as 1603.
No other religion has this type of academy, and many religious leaders have expressed interest in doing so. The Church supports scientific research as the love of learning the truth, the world, the micro- and macrocosm. Based on observation, our task is to take care of the created world
- emphasized the Holy Father.
He added that in recent years, the Papal Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, has issued statements on several occasions for the eradication of hunger, for the protection of the oceans and seas, and for the poor to be able to protect themselves against the shocking effects of climate change. Pope Francis also spoke about the two world wars, according to which humanity apparently did not learn from the tragic outcome. He pointed out: not only are outdated conflicts intensifying, but excessive and aggressive nationalist sentiments are emerging again, wars started to subjugate others, which do not spare the civilian population, the elderly, children and the sick, leaving destruction everywhere.
The many armed conflicts now taking place are a cause for serious concern.
Pope Francis often talks about a third world war taking place in pieces, but perhaps we can call this a total war, because it poses an ever-increasing threat to people and the planet.
St. II. Pope John Paul thanked God that thanks to the intercession of Mary, the world was saved from nuclear war. Unfortunately, we must continue to pray against this threat, which should have been dealt with long ago.
- reminded Pope Francis, and added that research must strive for peace and unity so that humanity can fulfill its God-ordained destiny of happiness.
God gave us the planet so that we can take care of it and develop it. An ecological conversion is needed today to protect our common home and life for future generations instead of increasing inequality, exploitation and destruction
said Pope Francis at the end of his speech to the members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
the article in its entirety on the Vaticannews website.
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