Pope appoints Chinese top researchers to the Academy of Sciences!

Pope appoints Chinese top researchers to the Academy of Sciences!

Vatikanstadt, Italien - Vatican city, 08.03.2025 (Cape)-An important step for science: Pope Francis has appointed the renowned Professor Menging from the Tsinghua University in Beijing to the papal academy of sciences. The 61-year-old expert in developmental biology, known for his outstanding contributions to the embryonic development of animals, becomes part of an academy that has been a bridge between the Catholic Church and the natural sciences since its foundation in 1603. The appointment was announced today by the Vatican Press Office.

In addition to Menging, Olivier Pourquié, a French professor of genetics at the Harvard Medical School, was also recorded. Pourquié is particularly active in research on stem cells. The papal academy of sciences, which resides in the heart of the Vatican City in Casino di Pio IV, unites 80 scientists from all over the world. This institution is committed to promoting progress in mathematics and natural sciences as well as scientific knowledge. The results of the academy meet directly into the decisions of the Pope, which significantly strengthens the role of the academy in modern church policy, as wikipedia reports .

Scientific excellence in the Vatican

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences has an impressive story, including famous members such as Stephen Hawking and many Nobel Prize winners. Its foundation go back to a time when science was constantly changing, and the academy has since been challenging to maintain dialogue between faith and science. The academy is an independent institution within the Holy Chair, which deals with the examination of specific scientific topics and the promotion of interdisciplinary cooperation, as further information shows.

With the admission of Menging and Olivier Pourquié, the academy will once again gain international prestige. In addition to strengthening the scientific community in the Vatican, this decision also shows the endeavor of the church to open up the latest developments in the natural sciences and to take their results into account, while continuing to maintain their ethical principles.