http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/04/18/pope_message/
The Pope has warned the faithful of the folly of thinking that technology could replace the almighty.
Pope Benedict, speaking at a Palm Sunday Mass to kick off Holy Week, noted that mankind had always sought to become "like God".
But, Reuters reports, Pope Benedict said: "Mankind has managed to accomplish so many things: we can fly! We can see, hear and speak to one another from the farthest ends of the earth. And yet the force of gravity which draws us down is powerful."
The reference to gravity will no doubt act upon physicists as a red rag might when waved before the proverbial bull. The question of whether the laws of physics are immutable or are the product of a supreme being's whim is always a good one to spark a punch-up between scientists and theologians.
Benedict also pointed out that for all Man's resourcefulness, recent natural disasters have highlighted that Man is not all-powerful.
Instead, Man should abandon hopes of being like God, if he wants to have a relationship with God.
This may not mean abandoning your computer; recent Vatican pronouncements have encouraged Catholics to take to the web. Except for the ones warning against the web. But we guess Benedict would take a fairly dim view of the likes of our own Kevin Warwick.
The Pope also prayed for peace in Colombia, saying "may she live in peace".
Bootnote
The question of whether footage of the Japanese tsunami, for example, is likely to engender empathy in viewers, or at best apathy and at worst a rash of cruel jokes, is perhaps one for media students to argue among themselves. After all, they're unlikely to bump into either theologians or physicists.
