06/19/2026
Our final Rome screening of Teilhard: Visionary Scientist was at the Gregorian University on April 22. “The Greg,” as students there call it, is the premiere theological university in the world, founded in 1551 by Ignatius Loyola, accredited by the Vatican. Bishops from all over the world send their top seminarians and priests there for graduate and post-grad work. It has expanded in recent years to welcome others, including women seeking theological degrees. Alumni include 17 popes, 83 saints and blesseds and 1202 of the world's bishops.
The Greg paid a key role in the life of Teilhard de Chardin. When an essay Teilhard had written on Adam and Eve and Original Sin was anonymously sent to his Jesuit Superior General in Rome, Fr. Ledochowski sent the essay to theologians at the Greg for their reaction. Their verdict: incompatible with Church teaching.
Teilhard, sensitive to the scorn that a literal reading of Adam and Eve received from many scientists, had set about to reframe the story of Genesis to conform to the finding of evolutionary science. However, the net result was that after some negotiation with Rome, Teilhard was removed from his university position in Paris, forbidden to write about theological matters, and was exiled permanently to China.
That was in April 1926. Now a hundred years later Teilhard returned, via a television biography, for a screening at the Greg. He is welcomed by 250 students (from around the world), faculty, and a few guests. And followed by a panel discussion.
The only way the university could schedule the film was between the end of morning classes and the beginning of afternoon classes. So the Rector gave a special and unusual permission for them to eat in the Magna Aula during the film. Our faculty coordinator arranged for 250 bag lunches for them!
The film received robust and sustained applause. The panel discussion was kicked off by a thoughtful analysis of the film by a former Dean of the Philosophy Faculty, Fr. Louis Caruana, SJ. This led into lively comments and questions.
Teilhard not only returned. He will continue to be a subject for discussion by religious professionals soon returning to their home countries.
Stream the documentary TEILHARD: Visionary Scientist on the free PBS app (download at https://bit.ly/DownloadPBSApp), or use PBS Passport. Or use this direct link, https://to.pbs.org/3R89ycC, available to international viewers as well. Visit our website, www.teilhardproject.com for more resources.
