Fox News host Chris Wallace on Sunday grilled Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum over his recent suggestion that Pope Francis should leave "science to the scientists" instead of promoting climate change awareness.
During an recent radio interview with Santorum, WPHT host Dom Giordano had pointed out that Pope Francis was expected to urge lawmakers to take action on climate change when he visits the U.S. later this year.
“The church has gotten it wrong a few times on science, and I think that we probably are better off leaving science to the scientists,” Santorum argued.
On Sunday, Wallace noted that the pope actually had scientific training -- while Santorum had none.
"If he's not a scientist -- and in fact, he does have a degree in chemistry -- neither are you?" Wallace said. "The second point is that somewhere between 80 and 90 percent of the scientists that have studied this say that humans, human activity contributes to climate change."
"So, I guess the question would be if he shouldn't talk about it, should you?" the Fox News host added.
"Well, we have to make public policy with regard to the environmental policy," Santorum insisted.
"But you're not a scientist," Wallace interrupted. "You said leave science to the scientists."
"Politicians, whether we like it or not, people in government have to make decisions with respect to our policy that affect American workers," Santorum remarked.
"And you don't think the pope has a right to talk about this?" Wallace wondered.
"The pope can talk about whatever he wants to talk about," Santorum opined. "I'm just saying, what should the pope use his moral authority for?"
"He would say he's protecting the Earth?" Wallace observed.
"I would say that's an important thing to do, but I think there are more pressing problems confronting the Earth than climate change," the candidate said. "Particularly when it comes to me as someone who is trying to go out there and make sure we have a revitalization in manufacturing, the things that create jobs and opportunities."
"Speculative science which has proven over time not to have check out," he continued. "All of the projections that were made 50 years ago, none of them have come true. So all of this certainty -- this is what bothers me about this debate -- the idea that the science is settled."
"Anytime you hear a scientist say the science is settled, that's political science, not real science. Because no scientist in their right mind would say ever the science is settled."
