The Pope made these startling comments which experts said quelled the “pseudo theories” of creationism and intelligent design that some argue were encouraged by his predecessor, Benedict XVI, as the Independent writes.
“When we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so,” Francis said.
The Pope also noted: “He created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws that he gave to each one so they would reach their fulfilment.”
MSNBC reports the Pope’s comments vary significantly from the perspective of Benedict XVI and his close advisers, who had “voiced support for the idea that intelligent design underpins evolution. In 2005, close Benedict associate Cardinal Schoenborn wrote a New York Times op-ed in which he declared, ‘evolution in the sense of common ancestry might be true, but evolution in the neo-Darwinian sense – an unguided, unplanned process – is not.'”
Pope Francis ended his talk by urging all scientists to continue their work and to produce those “happy” theoretical and practical initiatives for the benefit of human beings, which he said bring honor to science and scientists.