Pope and Polish Scholars Discuss 'Time, Eternity and Infinity' at Meetings

VATICAN CITY — Continuing the interdisciplinary academic discussions he began as a cardinal in Krakow, Pope John Paul II hosted 11 Polish scholars at his summer residence for a three-day discussion of “time, eternity and infinity.”

The Aug. 5-7 encounter was the 12th held at Castel Gandolfo since the Holy Father's election in 1978, the Vatican said in an Aug. 8 statement.

Most of the participating scholars — representing fields as diverse as physics, philosophy, theology and astronomy — either studied or taught at Jagellonian University in Krakow, as did John Paul.

The Castel Gandolfo meetings, which are closed to the press and normally announced only after they have ended, have taken place under the broad theme of “science, religion and history.”

In a text released Aug. 8, the Pope thanked the scholars for their willingness to explore topics touching on the relationship between faith and science in a common search for truth.

Contemporary culture, he said, needs to “ask the fundamental questions about meaning and truth, beauty and suffering, infinity and contingency.”

Those who seek the truth and give witness to it need to spend time together discussing their ideas and modern problems so they do not feel alone, the Holy Father said.

“The Church cannot be indifferent to the conquests of science, which arose and developed in an environment of Christian cultural influences,” he said.

John Paul and the meeting participants also prayed for those who were involved in the group's earlier discussion but have since died.

“In the light, they see more clearly the truth which we must discover in the semidarkness of research and discussions,” he said.

Archbishop Jozef Zycinski of Lublin, who participated in the meeting, told Vatican Radio on Aug. 8 that the Pope's hospitality, presence and remarks to the scholars were “inspiring as always.”

“And for those of us who recognize the importance of this pontificate for interdisciplinary dialogue, this is a great support,” he said.

Under John Paul's leadership, Archbishop Zycinski said, Catholic theologians, philosophers and scientists have been encouraged to work together to formulate theories that conflict neither with faith nor with scientific evidence.