Pontifical Academy of Sciences Archives

Conservationists at Vatican conference call for protecting biodiversity

May 17, 2019

People’s attitudes toward nature as well as their economic systems and consumption habits need to radically change in order to protect biodiversity on the planet and promote a more sustainable and caring world, said participants at a Vatican-sponsored conference.

By Carol Glatz

Humanity’s ancestors: Lucy, Toumai and the evolving journey of prehumans

Apr 14, 2019

As a follow-up to a 2013 symposium on the origin and evolution of humans, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences held a workshop discussing the latest discoveries about humanity’s earliest ancestors — where they lived and what they may have looked like millions of years ago.

By Carol Glatz

Pope to scientists: Help protect health of planet and its people

Nov 12, 2018

Scientists worldwide must serve humanity and the health of the planet, which means they must also propose viable solutions to problems and persuade government leaders and policymakers to implement them, Pope Francis said.

By Carol Glatz

California governor uses Vatican conference to attack Trump on climate change

Nov 5, 2017

California Governor Jerry Brown told a Vatican conference on climate change that the “Trump factor is very small. Very small indeed.” Brown said the majority of the American people support taking action to combat climate change, but warned work had to be done “to move aside the huge rock of indifference, complacency and inertia.”

By Charles Collins

Chinese state media highlights Vatican official at organ trafficking conference in Beijing

Aug 4, 2017

The Chinese state-owned Global Times, an English-language newspaper, has quoted Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo’s positive remarks about China. Sánchez Sorondo is in Beijing, and state media in the communist country usually does not draw attention to the presence of Vatican officials when they are in the country.

By Crux Staff

New head of Pontifical Academy of Science a natural Francis choice

Jun 23, 2017

With his choice of Joachim von Braun as the new President of the Pontifical Academy of Science, Pope Francis has indicated he wants the institution to take a more active role in trying to find solutions to planetwide problems like ending poverty and saving the environment.

By Charles Collins