Fr. Richard Anthony D’A souza SJ, new director of the Vatican Observatory, said that “the results of our astronomical research can be a way of praising God by marveling at its creation.”
Appointed by Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, July 31, at the feast of San Ignacio de Loyola, the Jesuit stressed that his mission is to continue promoting “the dialogue between faith and science through a solid scientific research.”
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“I feel very honored to be appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the next director of the Vatican Observatory. Official Site of the Vatican Observatory.
For the priest, the tradition of Jesus’ company in science is a fundamental pillar, because “encourages them to find God in all things.” “Our founder, San Ignacio de Loyola, found a great comfort when contemplating heaven and stars; he encouraged us to see how God worked and worked for us in his creation.”
Since its foundation in 1891, the Vatican Specla has been closely linked to the international scientific community. “The Observatory carries out research ranging from the study of meteorites and objects close to Earth, to Extrasolar Planetary Systems, Stars, Galaxies, Cosmology, Quantum Severity and the Big Bang,” he said.
The priest explained that each member of the Observatory “is inserted in a unique research field, collaborating with colleagues around the world.” In addition, after the encyclical laudato if ‘of Pope Francis, they have expanded their work towards weather and climatic research, possible thanks to new team experts.
Despite having fewer resources than other centers, Fr. D’Ouza ensures that the Observatory “continues to exceed its weight in terms of influence and research quality”, citing the motu proprio To make mystic of Leo XIII, who said that the Church “does not oppose true and solid science, but that hugs and encourages it with the greatest possible dedication.”
On the challenges they face, he said that contemporary astronomy demands “increasingly large telescopes, instruments that cost millions and international collaborations with hundreds of scientists.”
Although the independence of the observatory prevents you from automatically accessing projects financed by large agencies, “our members, thanks to their intellectual capital and collaborative spirit, have been invited to contribute professionally.”
The director insisted that the challenge is to ensure that observatory scientists can access these international projects, without losing their freedom that allows them to “embark on investigations that challenge the dominant paradigms or that would be difficult to finance in other contexts.”
The Observatory also has an important educational work: since the 1980s organizes a prestigious summer school that has trained hundreds of young astronomers, many of developing countries. “Today we see our alumni lead new editions as teachers, transmitting to the next generation what they received,” he explained.
To work at the Observatory, he said, “two essential qualities are love for science and the ability to effectively collaborate with others.” Those who integrate the team must be “reflective and discreet, since they represent the Church and the Vatican in the scientific world.”
“The results of our astronomical research not only enrich science, but invite us to marvel at the creator and praise him with his eyes on the stars,” he concluded.
Diego López Marina
I was born in 1991. I have a degree in Communication Sciences. Since 2015 I work as a digital journalist. I started my career in the newspaper El Comercio in Peru. In 2016, I began as editor in ACI Press and I perform as a web editor since 2018. From 2024, I write the Newsletter for Social Media. I specialize in Catholic news focused on the defense of life and family, international politics, technology, popular culture and the Vatican.