Over the years, I’ve had a number of wonderful experiences with the Jesuit staff and members of the Specola Vaticana, the Vatican Observatory, including a serendipitous encounter in Honolulu a few years ago with the Jesuits representing the observatory at an international astronomers conference.
I’ve also attended a few of the summer school sessions (see following story) when the observatory offices, classrooms and museums were still in the papal palace in Castelgandolfo (however, the two telescopes still call the palace home). I met students from around the world, their Jesuit professors, sat in on classes and enjoyed picnic lunches with all of them. The observatory is now located on a former convent on another part of the papal grounds. I’ve posted a number of my photos from time to time.
POPE FRANCIS RECEIVES CUBAN PRESIDENT DÍAZ-CANEL BERMÚDEZ
By Vatican news
A statement released by the Holy See Press Office on Tuesday, June 20, said Pope Francis received the President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez of the Republic of Cuba in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall during the morning.
The exchange of gifts –
The Cuban president then went on to meet Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied by Msgr. Daniel Pacho, undersecretary for the Multilateral Sector of the Section for Relations with States and International Organisations.
According to the statement, among the topics discussed were the importance of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Cuba, and the historic visit of Pope St. John Paul II in 1998 was evoked on its 25th anniversary year.
They then dwelled on the situation in the country and the contribution that the Church offers, especially in the areas of charity.
The statement concluded by noting that during the conversation some international topics of mutual interest were touched upon, as well as the importance of continuing to promote the common good.
European tour
President Díaz-Canel Bermúdez is scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday afternoon as part of a tour of Europe from 20 to 24 June.
On Wednesday he will participate in Paris as President of the Group of 77+China in the Summit for a new World Financial Pact.
POPE TELLS YOUNG ASTRONOMERS TO NEVER LOSE ‘SENSE OF WONDER’
In a message addressed to participants in the Vatican Observatory’s Summer School of Astrophysics, the Pope reflects on new scientific tools that reveal new astronomical discoveries and invites them to always be inspired by the love for truth.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Francis has sent a message of greetings to this year’s participants in the Vatican Observatory Summer School inviting them to never lose the sense of wonder, in their research and in their lives, as they continue to observe the universe with increasingly sophisticated tools.
The Pope, who penned his message during his convalescence last week in the Gemelli Hospital where he underwent abdominal surgery, took the occasion to thank “Specola Vaticana” faculty members who are guiding the participants in this experience.
The summer school in Castel Gandolfo, which is back after a five-year hiatus due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic, was established in 1986 for young astronomers and has always enjoyed the support of the Popes.
This 18th Summer School features the concepts of Big Data and Machine Learning, and provide students with hands-on data analysis experience that they can use with their own projects.
Noting how new scientific tools such as the new James Webb space telescope offers astrophysicists the possibility to make new discoveries, we expect, he said “to see how the universe continues to expand and change before our eyes.”
“Above all, we are struck by the vastness of the universe, its enormous extent and the astonishing number of galaxies, stars and planets that have been identified.”
Recalling how over 2,000 years ago the Psalmist wrote, “When I see the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you arranged, what is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him?” (Ps 8:5), the Pope commented on how “the immensity of the universe has always been a source of wonder for humanity.”
“As young scholars at the dawn of the 21st century, you seek in the course of this Summer School to grasp something of that vast expanse and to develop methods capable of better digesting and understanding the constant flow of new data,” he wrote.
FOR REST OF STORY: Pope tells young astronomers to never lose ‘sense of wonder’ – Vatican News
Joan's Rome 