What if we told you that one of the biggest breakthroughs in fertility medicine also includes one of the most famous religious centres in the world? While it may seem hard to believe, the Vatican has more to do with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) than previously known.

From an important meeting in Rome to a group of nuns who helped make history, it is now emerging that the Catholitc Church played role in discovery of fertility, which bears a fascinating story of the Vatican’s hidden influence in the development of IVF.

More than half a century ago, men of science and men of faith gathered together to unlock the mysteries of female fertility. The answer: urine from the brides of Christ. And lo, those nuns gaveth.

On a spring day in Rome, 1957 – the season of Pope Pius XII’s Ash Wednesday Mass, wisteria blooming by the Spanish Steps – 30-year-old Bruno Lunenfeld gave one hell of a presentation. What he said had the potential to shape the course of history in ways even the Vatican couldn’t foresee.

Lunenfeld presented his ground-breaking research on inducing ovulation in women to the Istituto Farmacologico Serono in Rome. His work, although initially met with scepticism, caught the attention of a notable board member, Don Giulio Pacelli, who saw potential in Lunenfeld’s findings.

Pacelli, a figure with deep ties to the Vatican, offered his support, setting the stage for a surprising collaboration between reproductive science and the Vatican.

One of the most unusual yet crucial aspects of Lunenfeld’s research involved the collection of a massive amount of urine from postmenopausal nuns, which Pacelli helped organise. This urine was essential for extracting the hormone needed for Lunenfeld’s fertility drug, Pergonal, which later played a significant role in the development of IVF technology.

Approximately 100 nuns contributed to producing 30,000 litres of urine, which was then processed to extract the necessary substances for the drug.

The collaboration between Lunenfeld and the Vatican’s representative, Don Giulio Pacelli, was instrumental in overcoming the logistical challenges of hormone extraction and production. This partnership not only facilitated the initial production of Pergonal but also highlighted how the Vatican indirectly supported a scientific endeavour with significant moral and ethical implications.

Pergonal became a cornerstone drug in the treatment of infertility, contributing to the first successful IVF pregnancy in the United States and numerous others worldwide. The drug’s influence persisted even after it was phased out in 2004, with successors like Menopur continuing to dominate the market.

However, the journey of IVF and its associated drugs has not been without controversy, particularly concerning legal and ethical challenges, such as those posed by recent rulings on the status of frozen embryos.

The partnership between Lunenfeld and the Vatican, particularly through the figure of Don Giulio Pacelli, represents a fascinating blend of religious belief and scientific advancement. This alliance, formed in the halls of a pharmaceutical company in Rome and extending to the quiet contributions of numerous nuns, showcases the complex and often hidden interactions that drive significant scientific breakthroughs. This story not only sheds light on the critical role of the Vatican in the early days of IVF research but also invites reflection on the broader implications of such collaborations between faith and science.

The Vatican’s involvement in the science of IVF through Lunenfeld’s work reveals a lesser-known side of how religious institutions can influence and contribute to major scientific advancements.

This intersection of belief and science highlights a fascinating chapter in the history of medicine and the evolution of reproductive technology.

• A Tell Media report / Adapted from People