Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.
Analysis
The exact phrase appears in the introduction of *Fides et Ratio* (paragraph 1), where John Paul II explicitly compares faith and reason to 'two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.' The encyclical emphasizes their complementary roles in seeking truth.
Background
*Fides et Ratio* (Faith and Reason) is a 1998 encyclical by Pope John Paul II addressing the relationship between faith and philosophy. It argues for the harmony between religious belief and rational inquiry, a central theme in Catholic theology.
Verdict summary
The statement accurately quotes Pope John Paul II's 1998 encyclical *Fides et Ratio*.
Sources consulted
— John Paul II. *Fides et Ratio*. Vatican Press, 1998. Paragraph 1.
— Vatican Official Text: http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_14091998_fides-et-ratio.html
— Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part I, Section 1 (on faith and reason)