Stephen Hawking and Pope Francis met on Nov. 28 in Vatican. This is considered an epic meeting of the devout, Head of the Catholic Church and the Atheist. Pope Francis is known to be the most liberal head of the Catholic church, so meeting with a self-proclaimed Atheist is something that he would do, and he did.
According to Daily Mail, Pope Francis commented on Stephen Hawking for his work during his audience with scientists at the Vatican recently. Stephen Hawking and Pope Francis met in Rome as members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences gathered for a conference.
Pope Francis was more than delighted to greet Stephen Hawking. Stephen Hawking has already met with three different Popes. Pope Francis touched his shoulders, welcoming the theoretical physicist warmly.
Pope Francis addressed the scientists in attendance and informed them of their importance in finding creative solutions to the world's problems. This time the sense of urgency is of the essence.
Pope Francis also commended the continuing collaboration between scientific and religious leaders in stopping climate change. Climate change is a global concern, one that is not only dealt with various governments but even the religious and the deity.
The Pontiff reiterated that with the scientists' cooperation, the creation of a normative system which involves inviolable limits and the protection of ecosystems is now necessary. This move should be done the soonest possible before harm is caused to environment and worse, to the societies of the world
Pope Francis greets world-renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking at the Vatican during an audience for Pontifical Academy of Sciences. pic.twitter.com/E6enWTTFw6
— ABC News (@ABC) November 28, 2016
As added by Rome Reports, during the meeting, Pope Francis and Stephen Hawking did not have much exchange of words. It was reported the warm smile expressed more than words could when both met in Vatican.
The Roman Catholic church and Science were both represented by Pope Francis and Stephen Hawking. While the two are considered a non-ideal pair for Stephen Hawking being an Atheist, this is certainly a thing of the past.
Religious and political beliefs have to be set aside. The most important thing is to give a more permanent and long lasting solution to climate change, even if it takes the Pope and the Atheist physicist collaborating.
