LBCI

Pope says the Big Bang and evolution are real but carried out by God

World News

28-10-2014 | 07:33

Share

Share

Pope says the Big Bang and evolution are real but carried out by God

2^min

The Big Bang, which scientists believe led to the formation of the universe some 13.8 billion years ago, was all part of God's plan, Pope Francis has declared.

The Pope said the scientific explanation of the beginning of the universe and the development of life through evolution are well-matched with the Catholic Church's version of creation.

He told a meeting of the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Sciences: ‘The Big Bang, which we hold to be the origin of the world, does not oppose the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it.’

Francis praised his predecessor, Benedict, who led attempts to shed the Catholic Church’s image of being anti-science, a label that stuck when it condemned the astronomer Galileo to death for teaching that the earth revolves around the sun.

The Catholic Church no longer teaches creationism - the belief that God created the world in six days - and says that the account in the book of Genesis is "an allegory for the way God created the world."

On Monday, Pope Francis hailed the papacy of retired Pope Benedict XVI following a meeting of bishops that exposed divisions between progressive Catholics who back Francis' call for a more merciful church and conservatives who are nostalgic about Benedict's emphasis on doctrine.

Francis unveiled a bronze bust of Benedict in the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences. The bust features the retired pope wearing an embroidered papal stole, an example of the elaborate liturgical dress that the tradition-minded Benedict favored.

Francis called Benedict a "great pope," praising his teaching, theological contributions, devotion to the church and current "monastic life" in retirement.

Francis has gone out of his way to embrace Benedict even as he steers the church on a vastly different course.

LBCI/REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Netanyahu says Israel struck railways, bridges in Iran

Middle East News

2026-04-07

Netanyahu says Israel struck railways, bridges in Iran

UAE, Kuwait, say responded to incoming missiles

Middle East News

2026-02-28

UAE, Kuwait, say responded to incoming missiles

Trump tells CBS that US, Iran 'getting a lot closer' to agreement

2026-05-23

Trump tells CBS that US, Iran 'getting a lot closer' to agreement

Lebanon prioritizes ceasefire as US envoy works to bridge political divide: The details

News Bulletin Reports

2026-05-04

Lebanon prioritizes ceasefire as US envoy works to bridge political divide: The details

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Deadly dawn in south Lebanon: 11 killed in Israeli strikes on Ansar and Deir el-Zahrani

1

Deadly dawn in south Lebanon: 11 killed in Israeli strikes on Ansar and Deir el-Zahrani

Israel wants 'more serious' talks with Lebanon: AFP

2

Israel wants 'more serious' talks with Lebanon: AFP

Israel says Lebanon strike targeted Hezbollah commander

3

Israel says Lebanon strike targeted Hezbollah commander

Netanyahu’s office says Hezbollah attack wounded three Israeli soldiers

4

Netanyahu’s office says Hezbollah attack wounded three Israeli soldiers

Health Ministry: 11 killed, 19 wounded in Israeli strikes on Deir el-Zahrani and Ansar

5

Health Ministry: 11 killed, 19 wounded in Israeli strikes on Deir el-Zahrani and Ansar

US responds to Qassem remarks, says Hezbollah bears responsibility for Israeli presence in Lebanon

6

US responds to Qassem remarks, says Hezbollah bears responsibility for Israeli presence in Lebanon

Israeli minister calls for escalation with Lebanon, says threats must be ‘crushed’ in Beirut

7

Israeli minister calls for escalation with Lebanon, says threats must be ‘crushed’ in Beirut

Lebanon Civil Defense warns against swimming along coast amid high waves

8

Lebanon Civil Defense warns against swimming along coast amid high waves

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More