Vatican City: The Vatican Observatory has announced that four newly identified asteroids have been named after important figures connected to its long scientific tradition, including Pope Leo XIII, who played a key role in restoring the institution in the late nineteenth century.
The announcement was made through an official statement released on April 29, confirming that the names were recently published in a bulletin of the International Astronomical Union. The four asteroids were discovered through collaboration between Lithuanian astronomer Kazimieras Černis and Jesuit astronomer Father Richard P Boyle, using advanced telescope facilities in the United States.
Among the newly named celestial bodies, the asteroid Gioacchinopecci stands out as it honors Pope Leo XIII, whose birth name was Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci. He is remembered for re establishing the Vatican Observatory in 1891 after the Church lost many of its earlier scientific centers due to political changes in Italy.
The move by Pope Leo XIII was significant at a time when there was growing criticism suggesting that the Church was opposed to scientific progress. Through his support, the observatory became a symbol of how faith and science could work together. He emphasized that scientific research, especially astronomy, could lift the human spirit and deepen understanding of the universe.
The Vatican Observatory itself has undergone several changes over time. In its early years, it operated from locations within Rome, including sites near the Vatican walls. However, due to increasing light in the city, it was later moved to Castel Gandolfo and eventually expanded to include the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope in Arizona during the 1990s.
The three other asteroids announced in the statement also recognize individuals who contributed greatly to the observatory’s work. One is named after Father Giuseppe Lais, an Italian astronomer who served as deputy director for many years and contributed to early efforts in mapping the stars. Another honors Cardinal Pietro Maffi, who led the observatory in the early twentieth century and ensured its scientific standards remained strong. The fourth asteroid is named after Father Florent Bertiau, a Belgian Jesuit who helped introduce modern computer based methods into astronomical research.
This is not the first time that asteroids have been named after Church figures. In previous years, celestial bodies have been named after Pope Gregory XIII and Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting the Church’s ongoing engagement with scientific discovery.
The process of naming asteroids follows strict international guidelines. When a new asteroid is discovered, it is first given a temporary designation. Once its orbit is clearly established, it receives a permanent number. Only then can scientists propose a name, which must be approved by an official committee of the International Astronomical Union.
Today, scientists have identified more than one million asteroids, with hundreds of thousands already officially named. The Vatican Observatory says that these new names continue its mission of showing that scientific exploration and religious faith are not in conflict but can enrich one another.