Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV, addressing participants of the Vatican Observatory’s Summer School program, extended a profound invitation to the scientific community: to generously share the awe inspired by cosmic exploration and, through this pursuit of knowledge, foster a more harmonious and equitable world.
On Monday, Pope Leo XIV reflected on humanity's enduring fascination with creation. He noted that while the sacred texts' ancient authors pondered the universe with "poetic and religious imagination," today's scientists, armed with cutting-edge instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), continue to delve into the cosmos. He emphasized that the JWST’s breathtaking images "fill us with wonder, and indeed a mysterious joy," as we contemplate the "sublime beauty" embedded within the stars.
The Holy Father’s remarks were specifically directed at attendees of this year's Vatican Observatory’s Summer School, which focuses entirely on "Exploring the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope."
Acknowledging the groundbreaking advancements, Pope Leo remarked, "Surely, this must be an exciting time to be an astronomer." He highlighted the "truly remarkable" capabilities of the JWST, which now allows scientists to probe the atmospheres of distant exoplanets, observe the stellar nurseries where planetary systems are born, and even detect "the ancient light of distant galaxies, which speaks of the very beginning of our universe." The Pontiff expressed gratitude to the JWST scientific team for making such a wealth of imagery accessible to the public, underscoring the invaluable knowledge and training the Summer School participants would gain to master this extraordinary tool.
Pope Leo also reminded the assembled students and scientists of their place within a broader collaborative ecosystem of fellow scientists, engineers, and mathematicians, supported by their families and friends—a network that makes "this wonderful enterprise" possible. He underscored a crucial directive: their significant work "is meant to benefit us all." He urged them to "be generous in sharing what you learn and what you experience," emphasizing the collective responsibility inherent in scientific discovery.
The Pope passionately encouraged the astronomers, urging them, "Do not hesitate to share the joy and the amazement born of your contemplation of the 'seeds' that, in the words of Saint Augustine, God has sown in the harmony of the universe." He concluded with a powerful message, asserting, "The more joy you share, the more joy you create, and in this way, through your pursuit of knowledge, each of you can contribute to building a more peaceful and just world." This call to action binds scientific endeavor directly to the pursuit of global harmony and justice.