Pontifical Academy of Sciences

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is the only supranational academy of sciences in the world. Founded in Rome on 17 August 1603 as the first exclusively scientific academy in the world by Federico Cesi, Giovanni Heck, Francesco Stelluti and Anastasio de Filiis with the name Linceorum Academia, to which Galileo Galilei was appointed member on 25 August 1610, it was reestablished in 1847 by Pius IX with the name Pontificia Accademia dei Nuovi Lincei.

Its mission is to honour pure science wherever it may be found, ensure its freedom and encourage research for the progress of science. Goals of the Academy are:

• Promoting the progress of the mathematical, physical and natural sciences, and the study of related epistemological questions and issues
• Recognising excellence in science
• Stimulating an interdisciplinary approach to scientific knowledge
• Encouraging international interaction
• Furthering participation in the benefits of science and technology by the greatest number of people and peoples
• Promoting education and the public’s understanding of science
• Ensuring that science works to advance of the human and moral dimension of man
• Achieving a role for science which involves the promotion of justice, development, solidarity, peace, and the resolution of conflict
• Fostering interaction between faith and reason and encouraging dialogue between science and spiritual, cultural, philosophical and religious values
• Providing authoritative advice on scientific and technological matters
• Cooperating with the members of other Academies in a friendly spirit to promote such objectives.