Science for Peace

In the days since we bid farewell to Pope Francis, filled with gratitude for the good he has done and will continue to do, I revisited some of the reflections he offered during his 12-year pontificate on science and the responsibility of each of us as stewards of creation.

The outgoing Church that he has always held dear has manifested itself in many ways and has led to a rereading of the signs of the times with a fresh perspective: in Laudato si’ he brought the ecological question to the forefront, opening a dialogue between theology and environmental and climate sciences. In Fratelli tutti he further broadened his vision to universal brotherhood, strengthening the awareness that we are members of a single human family.

In one speech, Pope Francis spoke of "science for peace," affirming that scientists have the task of training new generations, builders of peace. And he outlines a path that can lead to this goal. First of all, science must be at the service of all, stating that "to develop the desire for knowledge that lies in the heart of every man and woman, scientific research must place its findings and suggestions at the service of all, constantly seeking new forms of collaboration, sharing of results, and building networks." He then emphasizes the importance of a new relationship between science and society, so that scientific knowledge can bring authentic benefits to humanity. Science is, in fact, a great resource for building peace if it reaches out to the entire community, both local and international. No scientific knowledge should proceed alone, but collaboration and dialogue between different fields of knowledge are necessary, so that each specificity contributes to the growth of a new culture capable of promoting the integral development of every man and woman. Finally, science must be at the service of the education of new generations, teaching them not to be afraid of the toil of research.

By following these guidelines, the possibility of an authentic exchange between science and theology opens up, broadening the dialogue to include topics of great importance such as Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology, neuroscience, and climate change. Always keeping a close eye on ensuring that scientific knowledge is oriented towards the common good, respect for human dignity, and the protection of creation.


Valentina Turinetto
NP May 2025