Pope Francis Spurs Conversation With Statement About Evolution, Big Bang

In a speech Tuesday, Pope Francis said belief in prominent scientific theory such as evolution does not contradict a belief in God. Echoing church statements from as far back as 1950, Francis noted that God “created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws that he gave to each one” and that God is not “a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything.” Forum discusses the ramifications of the Pope’s comments and how they frame the emerging picture of his papacy.