Can the theory of evolution and religion coexist?

If the two can coexist, it depends on how the religion views evolution.

There are religions that believe in evolution and those that do not.

Some religious perspectives reject the notion that the Earth and the universe are as old as science claims, instead favoring a "young Earth" theory.

The best course of action is to study creationism and evolution independently; otherwise, there will always be disagreement and neither side will be able to comprehend the other.

Some with a Deist world view can accept that God might have had something to do with the creation of life and the universe but can have no measurable effect on the world in the present. These world views are incompatible with any religion that believes in the supernatural or God. The majority of people who accept Darwin's theory of evolution, which is descent with modification, follow a world view of material realism. This world view a priori rules out any possibility of the existence of God or the supernatural.

The idea that God directs the evolution of living things, allowing for the movement of life from the simple to the complex, is something that some theistic evolutionists attempt to reconcile with Darwinian evolution. Most evolutionists reject this compromise, which goes against the goal of explaining all of creation entirely through natural causes.

Religion, which recognizes the existence of a supernatural that is actively involved in the universe, is incompatible with the materialistic worldview.

The idea that all life originated in the material universe and has progressed entirely through natural causes is not supported by direct empirical evidence. However, evolution in the general sense that living things can change and adapt is compatible with religion. There is substantial observational evidence that adaptive evolution does occur.

The philosophical world views that distinguish Darwinian evolution (descent with modification) from most religions are what make Darwinian evolution incompatible, not the scientific evidence between what is directly observed about evolution.

The Pope, after all, accepts evolution.

Certain religions do, but not all of them.

Yes, the theory of evolution and religion can coexist. Many religious beliefs accommodate evolutionary theory by interpreting it as part of a divine plan or as a mechanism through which a higher power operates. This perspective allows individuals to reconcile their religious beliefs with scientific understanding. Additionally, not all religious interpretations conflict with evolutionary theory, and many religious communities fully accept evolution as a valid scientific concept.