In a message addressed to the participants of the XII Latin American Congress of Science and Religion, Pope Leo XIV exhorted them to rediscover in Creation a sign of hope, even in the midst of tribulation. The missive, signed by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was read at the Regina Apostolorum Athenaeum in Rome, where the congress is being held from September 10 to 12.
The Holy Father, quoting Saint Augustine, called for “seeking paths that allow man to surpass all that can be measured, to contemplate the Measure without measure; to surpass what can be counted, to contemplate the Number without number; to surpass sin, to contemplate the Weight without weight.” This was reported by Vatican News, emphasizing that the Pontiff invited reading in the “Book of Nature” a message that transcends the quantifiable.
Hope Amid Human Anguish
In his message, Leo XIV recalled that God’s work proclaims the glory of the Creator and that man can hear that message not only in the luminous days of his existence, but also in the “nights of anguish and tribulation” inherent to the human condition.
In this way, the Pope encouraged the researchers, philosophers, and theologians present to embrace that Creation is a constant testimony of hope, especially when life’s trials cloud faith and trust.
An Interdisciplinary Encounter on the “Book of Nature”
The congress, titled “The Languages of Creation. The Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Hermeneutics of the Book of Nature as a Path of Hope”, is organized in collaboration with the Foundation for Dialogue between Science and Religion (DeCyR), the Laudato si’ Movement – Argentina Chapter, and the Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla (UPAEP).
As explained by Vatican News, it is an interdisciplinary space where the natural sciences, philosophy, and theology converge to reflect on the relevance of the “Book of Nature” as a symbol and path to find meaning amid the uncertainties of the contemporary world.
Below is the full message published by the Holy See:
His Holiness Leo XIV
cordially greets
the Reverend Father José Enrique Oyarzún, L.C.,
Magnificent Rector of the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum Athenaeum
and the organizers and participants in the XII Latin American Congress of Science and Religion, which, under the title The Languages of Creation. The Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Hermeneutics of the “Book of Nature” as a Path of Hope, is being held in Rome on September 10, 11, and 12, and invites all congress participants to seek paths that allow man “to rise above all things that can be measured to see the measure without measure; to surpass all beings that can be counted to contemplate the number that has no number; to exalt oneself above all things that can be weighed in order to observe the weight that has no weight” (ST. AUGUSTINE, De Genesi ad litteram, IV, 3, 8).
In this way, even without “pronouncing words,” the work of God will proclaim the glory of its Creator, and man will be able to hear its message of hope not only in the splendor of the clear days of his existence, but also in the nights of anguish and tribulation proper to the human condition (cf. Psalm 19, 1-4).
With these wishes, the Holy Father, while invoking upon you all the Sweet Name of Mary, Morning Star, asks the Lord to sustain your work with His grace and imparts the implored Apostolic Blessing upon you with affection.
Vatican, September 3, 2025
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State