27th October 2014 – In the morning of 27th October 2014 a honorary bust of Pope Benedict XVI was inaugurated in the Vatican City at Casina Pius IV, seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Pope Francis participated in the celebration and, at the end of the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy, he declared: “This bust reminds us of our dear Pope Ratzinger: his soul and teachings, examples, works, devotion to the Church, monastic life. His figure will remain stable and powerful from generation to generation. Benedict XVI is a great Pope. He is great because of his intelligence, his contributions to theology, his love for the Church and the mankind and his virtue and religiousness. As you know, his love for the truth wasn’t linked only to theology and philosophy, but it is open to sciences. His enthusiasm for science turns out to his concern to scientists of any nationality and religion, and to the Academy, since Pope John Paul II nominated him one of its members”. “No one could say that study and science made him an insensitive person. Science, wisdom and prayers have widened his heart and his soul” Pope Francis said. We thank God for the gift he has given to the Church and the world: the life and pontificate of Pope Benedict”.