Vatican astronomer speaks about science and religion

Vatican astronomer Guy Consolmagno recently spoke at Winona State University in Minnesota about science, religion, and how the two work together. Consolmagno told the local ABC affiliate, ABC 6 News, that he travels “around the United States, basically getting people to appreciate what science can be in their spiritual life and to appreciate how religion can inform without controlling the way that they do science.”

Consolmagno has been quite outspoken regarding science and religion. In a 2010 interview, he told The Guardian, “Any entity – no matter how many tentacles it has – has a soul.” He made headlines because of this interview by The Guardian, in which he said he would offer to baptize an extraterrestrial being if one requested.

On Monday, Consolmagno’s presentation focused on whether or not Pluto should be considered a planet. Tonight’s presentation shifts gears and focuses on the connection between religion and science.