Philosophers, scientists and other intellectuals close to Pope Benedict will gather outside Rome this month for intensive discussions that could herald a fundamental shift in the Vatican’s view of evolution.

There have been signs that the pope is considering aligning his church more closely with the theory of “intelligent design”. Advocates of the theory argue that some features of the universe and nature are so complex that they must have been designed by a higher intelligence. Critics say it is merely a disguise for “creationism”.