Editing Pope Pius XII (section)

====Evolution of the human body====
{{Main|Humani generis}}
In 1950, Pius XII promulgated ''Humani generis'', which acknowledged that [[evolution]] might accurately describe the biological origins of the human form, but at the same time criticized those who "imprudently and indiscreetly hold that evolution&nbsp;... explains the origin of all things". Catholics must believe that the human soul was created immediately by God. Since the soul is a spiritual substance, it is not brought into being through transformation of matter, but directly by God, whence the special uniqueness of each person.<ref>Pius XII, Enc. ''Humani generis'', 36</ref> Fifty years later, [[Pope John Paul II]], stating that scientific evidence now seemed to favour the evolutionary theory, upheld the distinction of Pius XII regarding the human soul. "Even if the human body originates from pre-existent living matter, the spiritual soul is spontaneously created by God."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blessed-sacrament.org/evolution.doc|title=Finding God in human evolution|access-date=17 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224184314/http://www.blessed-sacrament.org/evolution.doc|archive-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>