Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD, is a Franciscan Sister of Washington DC and served as the Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Theology at Villanova University until 2026. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the World Institute for Science, Religion and Culture, an online educational forum focused on integrative thinking and personal formation. She is the author of over twenty-five books, including The Christian Mutation: Reclaiming the Dynamic God of Jesus (Orbis, 2026), The Not Yet God: Carl Jung, Teilhard de Chardin and the Relational Whole, The Hours of the Universe which won the 2022 Gold Nautilus Book Award and The Unbearable Wholeness of Being: God, Evolution and the Power of Love (Orbis 2013) which received the 2014 Silver Nautilus Book Award.
Ilia graduated with a B.S. in Biology from DeSales University, a master’s degree in biology from Seton Hall University, a doctorate in Pharmacology from Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, and a doctorate in Historical Theology from Fordham University. She is also the recipient of four Honorary degrees, as well as the Association for Catholic Colleges and Universities Monika Hellwig Award for her contributions to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
Her area of research is Systematic-Constructive theology with a focus on religion and evolution, following the vision of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. She continues to develop a new framework of God, self and world through the integration of science and religion, mapping the next level of human evolution in an age of artificial intelligence.
“An American Franciscan Sister, Ilia Delio, a theologian at Villanova University, is now emerging as the single finest exponent of Teilhard’s vision and its relevance for science and cosmology in the twenty-first century.”
Diarmiud O’Murchu
Background
Ilia graduated with a B.S. in Biology from DeSales University and pursued a master's degree in Biology at Seton Hall University, followed by a doctorate in Pharmacology from Rutgers University–New Jersey Medical School. Her area of specialization was neurotoxicology, with an emphasis on neuromuscular disease, and she wrote her dissertation on axonal dysfunction in an experimental model of Lou Gehrig’s (ALS) disease. She relinquished a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Alzheimer’s research to enter a Carmelite monastery. She later left the monastery and joined a Franciscan community. After entering the Franciscans, she returned to research and did a postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers University Neurotoxicology Laboratories, where she became a Research Fellow. Her work at Rutgers included experimental drug treatment for diabetic neuropathy and the assessment of sensory nerve damage due to methylmercury intoxication.
While in formation with her Franciscan community, she was asked to study theology and was sent to Fordham University. She obtained a master's degree in Theology and a doctorate in historical theology, studying under Professor Ewert Cousins.
Following graduation from Fordham, she taught in Science and Religion at Trinity College, Hartford, CT. For the next twelve years, she was Professor and Chair of Spirituality Studies at Washington Theological Union, where she taught courses in the History of Christianity, Franciscan theology, and Science and Religion. She then became a Senior Research Fellow at Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University, concentrating on Science and Religion. When Woodstock closed in June 2013, she was hired by Georgetown University as Director of Catholic Studies and Visiting Professor.
In my own view, Ilia Delio’s work presenting Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s vision shows us the most significant pathway we can travel toward a vibrant and beautiful Earth Community. With both passion of the heart and brilliance of the mind, Ilia presents a vision that combines science and spirituality. Her work is rare and precious achievement. She is one of the planetary leaders of our time. The more extensive the reach of her work, the better chance the Earth Community has for a beautiful future.
Brian Swimme
Recent Works
(2023) We are a species between axial periods. Thus, our religious myths are struggling to find new connections in a global, ecological order. Delio proposes the new myth of relational holism; that is, the search for a new connection to divinity in an age of quantum physics, evolution, and pluralism. The idea of relational holism is one that is rooted in the God-world relationship, beginning with the Book of Genesis, but finds its real meaning in quantum physics and the renewed relationship between mind and matter. Our story, therefore, will traverse across the fields of science, scripture, theology, history, culture and psychology. Our guides for a new myth of relational holism are the psychoanalyst Carl Jung, and the Jesuit scientist-theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The complex human can no longer be simplified to one view or another: one must see the whole of our existence or one does not see at all.
In an age of anxiety where reason is deified, what is the role of love? This short book centralizes love as the core reality of all cosmic life. From the cosmological to the theological dimensions of existence, love is shown to be the irresistible force of attraction that leads straight into the heart of God. The book is divided into three short chapters based on a metaphysics of love: we are born out of divine love, we exist in love, and we are oriented toward the fullness of love. In a world of evolutionary convergence and global consciousness, love may be the singular ethic that binds us together, heals our wounds and draws us into a new unity of planetary life.
In the My Theology series, the world’s leading Christian thinkers explain some of the principal tenets of their theological beliefs in concise, pocket-sized books. There are sixteen titles total.
(2020) Scientist and theologian Ilia Delio takes up the challenge of reconciling evolution and religion with particular attention to the role of artificial Intelligence.
She argues that AI represents the latest extension of human evolution, which has implications not only for science but also for religion. If the first axial age gave rise to the great religions, she sees us now on the cusp of a second axial age, in which AI, oriented by new religious sensibilities, can bring about an ecological re-enchantment of the earth.
(2019) In a traditional monastery the recitation of the Hours calls to mind the work of God in our lives, from the gift of creation to the sufferings we bear. According to scientist, theologian, and author Ilia Delio, the universe is the new monastery. In her latest work she offers reflections for this new monastery to a broad, general audience seeking new meaning and purpose in today’s world.
(2019) In this captivating memoir Franciscan Sister Ilia Delio, theologian, ground-breaking author, and one of the most exciting thinkers on the frontiers of dialogue between religion and science, recounts the remarkable journey that took her from scientist to theologian, and from traditional cloistered nun to a leading proponent of evolution and cyborg life.
“Every human life is the cosmos winding it's way into the future. Every life makes a difference to the life of the whole. I have come to know that the fire in my heart is the fire in the heart of the universe and that its flames will not be extinguished.”
(2018) Jesuit scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a keen observer of nature, posited two types of energy in the universe: tangential energy/energy of attraction and radial energy/energy of transcendence in other words, love and consciousness, which correspond to the inner and outer dimensions of nature, respectively.
Moreover, as theologian Ilia Delio points out, nature is never at rest; indeed, Nature [is] on a continuous trajectory of transcendence. The Big Bang universe is a story of space but it is also a story of consciousness and love.
The author builds not only on the thought of Teilhard and others but also on the findings of quantum physics to deliver a thought-provoking, deeply insightful reflection on the relationship of God, humanity, and nature in an ever-evolving cosmos.
(2016) Top scholars examine the theories of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin through the lens of Beatrice Bruteau’s pioneering work on evolution and consciousness. Contributors include Cynthia Bourgeault, Ursula King, Barbara Fiand, Kerrie Hide, Gabrielle Stoner, Kathleen Duffy, John Shea, Carla De Sola, and Joshua Tysinger.
- Making All Things New: Catholicity, Cosmology, Consciousness (Catholicity in an Evolving Universe Series)
Maryknoll, New York: Orbis, 2015 - From Teilhard to Omega: Co-creating an Unfinished Universe
Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2014 - Simply Bonaventure: An Introduction to His Life, Thought, and WritingsÂ
New City Press; 2nd Edition, 2013 - The Unbearable Wholeness of Being: God, Evolution, and the Power of LoveÂ
Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2013 - Compassion: Living in the Spirit of St. FrancisÂ
Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2011 - The Emergent Christ
Maryknoll, N.Y.:Orbis Books, 2011 (2nd printing). Catholic Press Association Book Award 2012, 3rd Place: Faith and Science - Ten Evenings with God
MO: LigouriPress, 2008 - Christ in Evolution
Maryknoll, N.Y.:Orbis Books, 2008 (3rd printing). Translated into Italian and Polish - Clare of Assisi: A Heart Full of Love
Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2007 - The Humility of God: A Franciscan PerspectiveÂ
Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2005 - Franciscan Prayer
Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004 - A Franciscan View of Creation: Learning to Live in a Sacramental WorldÂ
Heritage Series. Number 2. Edited by Joseph P. Chinnici. New York: The Franciscan Institute, 2003 - Crucified Love: Bonaventure’s Mysticism of the Crucified ChristÂ
Quincy, IL: Franciscan Press, 1998
- Listen to "An Audience with Ilia Delio" from the Aspen Chapel Retreat.
- Robert Wright interviews Ilia Delio on Nonzero podcast: "The Cosmic Pierre Teilhard de Chardin"
- National Catholic Reporter
A variety of National Catholic Reporter articles by Ilia. - Global Sisters Report
Ilia is a regular contributor to the Global Sisters Report.
- Humanity on the Threshold: Religious Essays on Transhumanism Washington (PDF Version)
D.C.: Catholic University Press, 2014 –  Edited by John Haughey and Ilia Delio - Oneing: The Perennial Tradition, 2013
Contributors Richard Rohr, Ilia Delio and others - Franciscans and Liturgical Life: Let Us Praise, Adore and Give Thanks, 2006
With Ilia Delio and others - Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth, 2008
With Ilia Delio and others – Book Award: 1st Place for Social Concerns, 2nd Place for Spirituality - Franciscans and the Scriptures: Living in the Word of God:Washington Theological Union Symposium Papers, 2005
With Ilia Delio and others - Go Rebuild My House: Franciscans and the Church Today, 2004
With Ilia Delio and others - Franciscans and Creation: What Is Our Responsibility (Washington Theological Union Symposium Papers, 2003
With Ilia Delio and others - Franciscan Identity and Postmodern Culture: Washington Theological Union Symposium Papers, 2002
With Ilia Delio and others - Franciscan Intellectual Tradition, 2003
With Ilia Delio and others
Speaking Request
Ilia Delio is an internationally renowned speaker on a variety of subjects. Her teaching and leadership commitments keep her very busy but she is always pursuing deeper connections with organizations and groups who share her vision for the future of science and religion.