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Top 8 Influential Priests in the World

With the influence of the Catholic Church throughout history, it is not surprising that related members such as monks or popes have had a significant influence on the world. Not only through theology but also through science and philosophy. Below, Toplist will introduce to you the characters who have made important discoveries or changed the way of thinking, the way of life, and rose to great heights in various fields.

1. St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Ignatius of Loyola takes pride of place at the top of the list, as he was the founder of the Society of Jesus. Since its founding, this order of priestly educators has been credited with “making the most important contribution to experimental physics of the seventeenth century.” They also contributed to the development of the pendulum clock, the tachometer, the barometer, the reflecting telescope, and the microscope; to such diverse scientific fields as magnetism, optics, and electricity. They theorized about the circulation of blood, the theoretical possibility of flight, how the moon affects the tides, and the wavelike nature of light. In addition, their contributions to the study of earthquakes have been called “Jesuit science” by seismologists. However, St. Ignatius originally founded the order for the teaching and propagation of Catholic doctrine, a mission they continue to uphold to this day.

Born in 1491, one of 13 children of a minor noble family in northern Spain, Ignatius was passionate about love and chivalry as a young man. From a Basque soldier, he became a Catholic priest and theologian, after a mystical experience convinced him that he was called to serve Christ. In 1521, Ignatius was seriously wounded in battle with the French. While recovering, he underwent a conversion. Reading the biographies of Jesus and the Saints filled him with joy and a desire to do great things. Ignatius realized that this feeling was an enlightenment, a guidance from God. Over the years, he became an expert in the art of spiritual direction. With a group of friends, Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus to protect the Church and spread its message. Approved by Pope Paul III in 1540, he became the first superior general (official leader) of the Society of Jesus.

Ignatius died in 1556 and was canonized in 1622 as Saint Ignatius of Loyola. By that time, his name had become as famous as the knightly heroes he had admired in his youth. Schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries around the world continue to honor him; emphasizing the importance of education in promoting and defending the Catholic vision of Christianity.
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2. Father Georges Lemaitre

The Father of the Big Bang Theory - Father Georges Lemaitre, was the first to propose the concept of an expanding universe. His work in astronomy and physics led him to be the first to derive what we now call “Hubble’s law” and “Hubble’s constant”. Lemaitre called his Big Bang Theory “the hypothesis of the primordial atom”.

There is no need to go into detail about the influence of this priest, as almost everyone in the scientific field believed in his theory. Lemaitre was also one of the first scientists to apply the use of computers to the study of cosmology, and he helped create the fast range transformation algorithm.

Father Georges Lemaitre was born on July 17, 1894 in Charleroi. He was a Belgian Catholic priest, astronomer and physicist. As a young man, Lemaitre was fascinated by both science and theology, but World War I interrupted his studies. He served as an artillery officer and witnessed the first poison gas attack in history. After the war, Lemaitre studied theoretical physics and was ordained an abbot in 1923. He also pursued his scientific studies with the famous British astronomer, Arthur Eddington. Father Lemaitre continued his travels to the United States, where he visited most of the major astronomical research centers. He later received his doctorate in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1925, at the age of 31, Lemaitre accepted a professorship at the Catholic University of Louvain, a position he held throughout World War II. He was a dedicated teacher and enjoyed working with his students. His “primordial atom” hypothesis to explain the origin of the universe formed the basis for the “big bang” theory. This astonishing idea first appeared in scientific form in 1931, in a paper by the priest himself. The theory, which is accepted by most astronomers today, was a radical departure from the scientific orthodoxy of the 1930s. Since many astronomers at the time believed that the entire observable galactic universe began with a bang, it seemed absurd. They were still uncomfortable with the idea that the universe was expanding.

Along with science, Lemaitre’s religious interests remained important to his life. Thus, he served as president of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences from 1960 until his death in 1966.

On October 26, 2018, an electronic vote A vote among all members of the International Astronomical Union took place. With a vote of 78%, it was proposed to rename Hubble's law in his honor, to become the Hubble–Lemaitre law.
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3. St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas was a simple monk who left his wealthy, aristocratic family to join the Dominican Order in the 13th century. This quiet man rose to such heights in the fields of philosophy and theology that his name will never be forgotten. Aquinas's influence was so great that he completely changed the way philosophy was thought, paving the way for modern philosophers during the Enlightenment. His philosophy also influenced the natural sciences, including medicine. His influence was also felt in the Roman Catholic Church, as his work, the Summa Theologiae, remains the basis for most seminary studies - it helped shape the thinking of other future priests who would influence the world of science.

St. Thomas Aquinas was born around 1224 in Roccasecca, Italy. His family belonged to an ancient line of counts, which had owned a castle for over a century. In his early years, Aquinas lived and studied at the Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino, founded by St. Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century. He then attended the University of Naples, where he began his theological studies in the autumn of 1239. It was during this time that Aquinas was encouraged to join a new religious order. It was called the Dominican Order, after its founder, St. Dominic of Guzman (1170-1221). Recognizing his talent early on, the order sent Aquinas to study at the University of Paris for three years. At the age of 32, he was taught there as a master of theology. The Dominican Order then sent Aquinas back to Italy, where he taught in Naples, Orvietto, and Rome (from 1259 to 1268). It was during this time that he began writing his Summa Theologiae. Having composed a treatise on the sacraments for this book in December 1273, Aquinas was called to be a theological adviser at the Second Council of Lyon. However, he died in Fossanova, Italy, on March 7, 1274, while on his way to the council.

Canonized in 1323, St. Thomas Aquinas was later declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius V in 1567. Through his extensive, profound, and well-argued writings, the Saint continues to attract many intellectual followers today, not only among Catholics, but also among Protestants and non-Catholics.
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4. Nicolaus Copernicus

Nicolaus Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473. He was a Renaissance polymath who worked as a mathematician, astronomer, and Catholic cleric. There is some doubt as to whether Nicolaus eventually became a priest, as there is only evidence that he took minor positions (such as a priesthood). But his reputation and the possibility that he was eventually ordained - make Nicolaus one of the people on this list.

In the 1500s, Nicolaus Copernicus was the first to propose the idea that the earth was not the center of the universe, but rather that it orbited the sun along with other celestial bodies. Although Nicolaus's model was not entirely accurate, it laid a solid foundation for future scientists; such as Galileo - who built and improved humanity's understanding of the motion of celestial bodies. He sparked the Copernican revolution, “which refers to the shift from the Ptolemaic model of the heavens, which placed the earth at the center of the galaxy, to a heliocentric model with the sun at the center of our solar system.” This was one of the starting points of the scientific revolution of the 16th century.

Because Nicolaus’ father died when he was a child, his uncle took over his father’s place in his life. His uncle wanted Nicolaus to become a priest in the Catholic Church. However, when he visited several academies, he spent more time studying mathematics and astronomy. While studying at the University of Bologna, Nicolaus lived and worked with the astronomy professor Domenico Maria de Novara, who studied with him and helped him observe the heavens. However, under the influence of his uncle, Nicolaus became a priest in Warmia, northern Poland. However, he was not yet able to become a priest.

Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus died of a stroke on 24 May 1543, at the age of 70. In 2010, his remains were blessed with holy water by several senior Catholic clergy in Poland before being reburied. The grave is marked by a black granite plaque decorated with a model of the solar system, which is seen as a symbol of Nicolaus Copernicus' scientific contributions and service as a priest of the church.
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5. Pope Gregory XIII

Pope Gregory XIII, born 7 January 1502. His birth name was Ugo Boncompagni. He was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 13 May 1572 until his death in 1585. Pope Gregory XIII is best known for initiating and naming the Gregorian calendar, which has become the standard calendar in Europe and much of the world, and is internationally accepted to this day.

Pope Gregory XIII made many contributions to the life of the Catholic Church, including the city of Rome, education, the arts, and diplomacy. Before becoming Pope, he had a distinguished career in law in Bologna, where he received doctorates in both civil and canon law. He also taught jurisprudence, which is the theory and philosophy of law.

Gregory XIII's intellectual influence made him a trusted figure in legal and diplomatic circles even before his election in the conclave of 1572. When elected, he took the name Gregory, in honor of the previous sixth-century pope Gregory I.

His initiatives – which included the restoration of essential infrastructure such as gates, bridges and fountains – were part of a broader vision to emphasize the centrality of law to Rome's history and culture. This is evidenced by the fact that Gregory XIII is honored by a statue in the Aula Consiliare, the senatorial palace. Alongside his urban planning initiatives, his commissioning of works of art and architectural projects demonstrated his commitment to fostering a city that was not only the spiritual center of Catholicism, but also a beacon of Renaissance culture. In the Sala Regia in Vatican City, Pope Gregory XIII commissioned a series of frescoes depicting the triumph of Christianity over its enemies. He also commissioned an entire gallery of maps of the Apostolic Palace, to demonstrate the extent of Christianity’s spread throughout the world.

In addition, the Gregorian calendar reform marked a major change in the way time was measured. October 4, 1582, was linked to October 15, aligning the calendar with astronomical reality. This adjustment, which was gradually adopted by Protestant countries, had a lasting impact on the way time was measured around the world.

In St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, you will find a remarkable monument to Pope Gregory XIII. Completed in 1723 by the Milanese sculptor Camillo Rusconi, it combines both religious and intellectual symbols, personified by two statues flanking the pope. It is a fitting tribute to a pontiff whose tenure was marked by the interplay of faith, intellect, and reform; and can now be considered a cornerstone in European history.
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6. St. Albertus Magnus

St. Albertus Magnus was born around 1200, in the Bavarian town of Lauingen. He was a monk, philosopher, scientist, bishop; and was also named one of the 33 “Doctors” of the Catholic Church. Albertus wrote extensive works on various subjects such as: logic, theology, botany, geography, astronomy, astrology, mineralogy, chemistry, metaphysics, meteorology, zoology, physiology, phrenology and more. He created maps and charts, experimented with plants, studied chemical reactions, designed navigational instruments and made detailed studies of birds and animals. Therefore, St. Albertus Magnus is considered one of the greatest philosophers and thinkers of the Middle Ages.

In 1223, he joined the Dominican missionary order and was sent to the monastery in Cologne, which was to be his home for the rest of his long career of scholarship, writing, travel, and teaching. As a student at the University of Paris, and later as a professor, Albertus discovered a “new way of learning” based on Greek and Arabic philosophy and science, which aroused unprecedented controversy in German centers of learning. He undertook a number of writing projects that showed the relationship of these ancient works to Christian teaching. Albertus served four years as provincial of the German-speaking Dominicans, which included visits to over 56 monasteries; among them was a mission as far away as Riga (now the capital of Latvia). He was always on foot, and often stopped to study natural phenomena, spending hours in the libraries of the places he visited, copying any books that were new to him. As Albertus' reputation grew, he was called upon to mediate theological disputes, create new curricula, conduct conferences, and champion scientific learning. His skills as an arbitrator and mediator helped the pope undertake a number of ecclesiastical and diplomatic duties. Albertus was appointed bishop of Regensburg in 1260, a diocese in spiritual and financial crisis. After three years of reform and encouragement, he asked to be relieved of his duties and returned to teaching.

In addition to commenting on the scientific and philosophical works of classical thinkers, Albertus wrote numerous commentaries on the Bible and other theological works. His knowledge of a wide range of philosophical texts enabled him to develop his Summa Theologiae. This premise that faith and reason are compatible sources of knowledge inspired the major work of Albertus's most famous student and Dominican brother, St. Thomas Aquinas.

Albertus Magnus died on November 15, 1280, and was buried in Cologne. In 1931, he was canonized as a saint and a doctor of the church. In 1941, he became the patron saint of the natural sciences. Albertus' greatness lay not only in his fidelity to the Christian vision, but also in the excellence of his scholarly work and the breadth of his intellect.
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7. Pope Urban II

Pope Urban II was born around 1035. He was the head of the Catholic Church and the ruler of the Papal States from 1088 until his death. Urban II was also responsible for launching the Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land from the Turks. This was the first of seven Crusades that influenced medieval history. Its influence can still be felt today in the ongoing unrest in the Middle East. In addition, Pope Urban II reformed the leadership of the Catholic Church by establishing it on the model of a court. This structure still exists today and continues to influence the daily lives of many Catholics, as well as the position of the Church in international politics. His impact on the world is considered significant enough; He was therefore declared “Blessed” (or “Saint”) by Pope Leo XIII in 1881.

Urban II was a brilliant tactician who wanted to place the papacy at the center of a unified Christian world beset by division. The Eastern and Western halves of the Church were divided, and the knights were turning their swords against each other, rather than against a common enemy. By directing hostilities elsewhere, with the goal of retaking Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control, Pope Urban II used his temporary power, taking control of the armies of Europe to further his plans for unity. At the same time, he launched an internal reform campaign to make the Church more sacred and improve standards of clerical behavior. Urban II succeeded in increasing papal power and uniting Europe after his crusade. However, in the longer term, the conflicts that glorified the Crusades damaged Christianity's claim to be a religion of peace. It thus permanently damaged relations between Catholics and Muslims; it did not lay a lasting foundation on which a more unified Europe could be built. When the Crusades ended in failure, war on the homeland became the knights' preoccupation.

Urban II's motives remain controversial, as evidenced by various recorded speeches. Some historians believe that he sought unity between the eastern and western churches, caused by a rift in the Great Schism of 1054. Others believe that Urban II saw this as an opportunity to gain legitimacy as pope; he was competing with Pope Clement III at the time. A third theory suggests that Urban II felt threatened by Muslim invasions of Europe. He therefore saw the Crusades as a way to unite the Christian world into a unified defense against them.

Before news of the fall of Jerusalem to the Crusaders reached Italy (July 29, 1099), Pope Urban II died. So he could not have known about it before his death. His successor, Pope Paschal II, established the modern Roman Curia in the manner of a royal court to help run the church.
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8. Gregor Mendel

Gregor Mendel was a teacher, priest and scientist. He was born in 1822 in the small village of Heinzendorf bei Odrau, now Hyncice in the Czech Republic. The priest's work in the field of genetics had a huge impact on the world. But it is probably true that it has not yet been fully realized. However, his contribution to science is very important. Because Mendel was the first to lay the mathematical foundations for the science of genetics, in what is known as “Mendelism”.

Born and raised in a poor family in rural Silesia. His academic ability was recognized by a local priest, who persuaded his parents to send him to school at the age of 11. Mendel's studies at the Gymnasium (grammar school) were completed in 1840. He then attended a two-year program at the Philosophical Institute of Olmutz University in the Czech Republic, where he excelled in physics and mathematics. After finishing university, Mendel entered the St. Thomas Augustine Monastery. It was also a cultural and intellectual center, so he was exposed to many new teachings and ideas that he loved.

In 1850, Mendel was sent to the University of Vienna for two years to study a new science curriculum. He began to devote this time to physics and mathematics, working under the guidance of the Austrian physicist Christian Doppler and the mathematical physicist Andreas von Ettinghausen. Mendel also studied the anatomy and physiology of plants, as well as the use of the microscope, under the guidance of the botanist Franz Unger, who was passionate about cell theory.

In the summer of 1853, he returned to the monastery. The following year, he was given a teaching position there. Mendel remained there until he was elected parish priest 14 years later. His scientific work had largely ended by then, due to his responsibilities at the monastery.

Gregor Mendel died on January 6, 1884, at the age of 61, from chronic nephritis. After his death, his successor burned all of Mendel's papers to mark the end of tax disputes with the government. The exhumation of his body in 2021 revealed some details about his appearance, such as his height. Mendel's genome was analyzed and revealed that he was predisposed to heart problems.
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