Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude May 11 to members of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, praising their efforts to share the “wonder of astronomy” with Catholic communities across the world.
In his address to the foundation’s board members, the Pontiff reflected on the mission of the Vatican Observatory, a Vatican-based astronomical research institution operated by Jesuit priests and scholars.
Pope Leo reflected on the spiritual significance of astronomy, describing the ability to gaze upon the sun, moon, and stars as a universal “gift” that awakes wonder and helps people contemplate the vastness of God’s creation.
“The night sky is a treasury of beauty open to all – rich and poor alike – and in a world so painfully divided, it remains one of the last truly universal sources of joy,” he remarked.
Referencing the homily Pope Benedict XVI gave for Easter Vigil in 2012, Pope Leo warned that artificial light increasingly obscures the night sky, comparing it to the way sin can blind humanity to the beauty God has placed before them.
Reflecting on the observatory’s history, Pope Leo also highlighted the work of Pope Leo XIII, who re-founded the institution in 1891 to demonstrate that the Church and science are not only compatible, but the Church embraces and promotes science with the “fullest devotion.”
Pope Leo said that while science and religion both face what he described as a more "insidious" threat from those who deny “objective truth.”
“Too many in our world,” Pope Leo said, “refuse to acknowledge what both science and the Church plainly teach – that we bear a solemn responsibility for the stewardship of our planet and for the welfare of those who dwell upon it.”
The Pontiff added that the Church's support for "rigorous, honest science” remains not only valuable but “essential.”
Pope Leo said the foundation’s support allows the observatory to continue engaging with the public and global scientific community through educational programs, workshops, and summer schools for students and Catholic educators.
He added that the board’s dedication helps ensure the observatory’s telescopes and laboratories remain places “where the glory of God’s creation is encountered with reverence, with depth, and joy.”