Pope: I believe in evolution and the Big Bang theory (but not gay marriage)
The Pope has announced that he believes in evolution, and that the Big Bang theory is correct.
Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Pope Francis spoke against fundamentalists teaching that God is “a magician with a magic wand”.
He said: “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.
“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.
“The Big Bang, which today we hold to be the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it.
“Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve.”
The move comes after the Vatican scrapped plans to relax its anti-gay policies earlier this month.
Proposals seen to be backed by the Pope would have maintained a strong opposition to same-sex marriage, but allowed churches to “welcome homosexuals”.
Instead, the current teaching – that homosexuality is “intrinsically disordered” – will remain in place.
The Pope has always maintained that same-sex marriage is not consistent with Catholic teaching.
