By John Phillips
Students walked past a banner decrying the planned address by Pope Benedict XVI and the Vatican´s positions on scientific issues yesterday at the University of Rome La Sapienza.
ROME — Pope Benedict XVI yesterday abruptly canceled a visit to Rome"s leading university in the face of security fears because of vociferous opposition to the trip from physics professors and undergraduates who accuse the pontiff of opposing free scientific inquiry.
The conservative German pope had been scheduled to visit University of Rome La Sapienza tomorrow to inaugurate the academic year in ceremonies marking its foundation 705 years ago.Science students opposed to the visit announced an "anti-clerical week" at the prestigious institution, the scene of clashes between militants from the left and right and the police in the 1960s and '70s.
The students, calling themselves the Physics Collective, charge on a Web site that Benedict "condemns centuries of scientific and cultural growth by affirming anachronistic dogmas such as Creationism, while attacking scientific free thought and promoting mandatory heterosexuality."The Vatican last night said that "following well-known developments over recent days," the Holy See "decided it was better to do without" the papal visit. Benedict will send his planned speech to university authorities to be read on his behalf but will not deliver it personally, the statement said.
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