Romana

Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’ was the topic of a round table held on July 13 in the auditorium of Miravalles University Center. Msgr. Luis Baura de la Peña, a physician and theologian, stressed that the Pope wanted to highlight that God is truly the Creator, and that as his creatures we need to be respectful and responsible in following the laws of nature, his “operating instructions” for attaining happiness. Dr. Eduardo Lizano ex-president of the Central Bank, focused on the encyclical’s teaching in light of the principles of the Church’s social doctrine. Dr. Alejandra Leal, a geneticist, discussed scientific implications of the Pope’s encyclical. Dr. Fernando Sanchez, a political scientist and former ambassador of Costa Rica to the Holy See, spoke about the Pope’s main concerns as reflected in Laudato si’: fostering peace, assisting the poor, and caring for nature. Finally Dr. Miguel Cantillo, an economist, called attention to the economic background of the encyclical.