In Apostolic Letter, Pope Francis Commends Blaise Pascal's Relentless Pursuit of Truth

In a recent apostolic letter, Pope Francis expressed his admiration for Blaise Pascal, a prominent 17th-century mathematician and philosopher, praising him as an unwavering seeker of truth. Pascal, known for his foundational contributions to probability theory, the invention of an early calculator, and the formulation of "Pascal's law" in hydraulics, dedicated his later years to Christian apologetics.

Blaise Pascal.

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
6/19/2023 (1 year ago)

Published in Technology

Keywords: Pope Francis, Blaise Pascal, Truth, apostolic letter

In the letter titled "Sublimitas Et Miseria Hominis" (The Grandeur and Misery of Man), published on June 19 to commemorate Pascal's 400th birth anniversary, the pope acknowledged Pascal's intellectual prowess and his profound defense of the Christian faith. From an early age, Pascal tirelessly pursued truth through disciplines such as mathematics, geometry, physics, and philosophy, achieving remarkable discoveries and early fame.
However, Pascal's thirst for knowledge extended beyond his achievements. In an era marked by scientific and philosophical skepticism, he emerged as a restless spirit, continually seeking new horizons and pondering the timeless question of the significance of humankind. Pope Francis cited Pascal's unwavering dedication to addressing those who dismiss Christianity without a solid basis, emphasizing that divine revelation is not in conflict with reason but offers unique insights beyond the reach of philosophy alone.

The pope's letter extensively quotes from Pascal's renowned work, "Pensées," a collection of Christian apologetics published posthumously from his notes and manuscripts. It highlights Pascal's refusal to accept the indifference and disdain some individuals displayed toward Jesus Christ and the Gospel due to laziness or their passions. Pascal differentiated between those who genuinely explored the immortality of the soul and those who lived without concern for its significance.

Additionally, Pope Francis touched upon Pascal's involvement in the disputes between the Jesuits and the Jansenists, during which Pascal wrote a series of highly critical letters known as "The Provincial Letters." The conflict centered around the nature of God's grace and its relationship with human free will. The pope defended Pascal, acknowledging his impartiality and recognizing that while some of his statements aligned with Jansenist views, they deviated from the core teachings of the faith.

The letter also highlights Pascal's "Memorial," a small handwritten note found sewn into his coat at the time of his death. The note described a mystical experience on November 23, 1654, that deeply moved Pascal, leading him to recommit himself to Jesus Christ and embrace a life of asceticism and written apologetics.

Pope Francis expressed his admiration for Pascal's profound dedication to the poor, as evidenced by his resolve to serve them exclusively if his illness allowed for recovery. He urged others to be inspired by Pascal's brilliant work and his unwavering commitment to truth, conversion, and charity.

Pope Francis has repeatedly expressed his admiration for Pascal, even suggesting his beatification in a 2017 interview. The pontiff regards Pascal's handwritten "Memorial" as one of the most original texts in the history of spirituality.