On a day marked by remembrance and admiration for the cosmos, Pope Leo XIV made a significant visit to the Vatican Astronomical Observatory, located in the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of man’s arrival on the moon.

After praying the Sunday Angelus, the Holy Father headed to the scientific heart of the Holy See, where he toured the facilities and took a close look at the telescopes that have supported celestial exploration from a faith-based perspective for decades. He was accompanied by astronomers and students participating in the traditional Summer School organized by the Vatican Specola.

The visit wasn’t just a formal gesture. It sent a clear message: faith doesn’t fear science, it embraces it. In words, he had already addressed the young researchers weeks earlier, the Pope reminded them that contemplation of the universe is also a form of prayer. “The wonder that springs from looking at the sky is a divine seed. Don’t stop sharing that joy,” he told them.

A centuries-old tradition with a view to the future

The Vatican Observatory, although formally established in the 19th century, has roots dating back to the Gregorian calendar reform. Over the centuries, it has successfully combined scientific rigor with a transcendent perspective on the universe. In the late 1930s, the Specola was moved from the Vatican to Castel Gandolfo, fleeing the light pollution of Rome. Later, in 1993, it was expanded with a modern telescope in Arizona, reaffirming the Vatican’s commitment to astronomical research.

This year, under the theme “Exploring the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope,” the Summer School brought together young people from 22 countries to delve deeper into the discoveries this powerful instrument has provided to humanity: distant galaxies, primitive clusters, and signals that tell the story of the beginning of time.

Science that does not forget the Creator

The day concluded with smiles, conversations, and a certainty that resonated throughout everyone: faith and science are not enemies. In fact, when they join hands, they can lead to a deeper understanding of the mystery surrounding humankind and its place in the cosmos.