Pope Leo XIV has appointed Jesuit priest and astronomer Fr Richard Anthony D’Souza, S.J., as the new Director of the Vatican Observatory, one of the oldest astronomical research institutions in the world.
He will officially take over from Br Guy Consolmagno, S.J., whose 10-year term concludes on 19 September 2025, according to the Vatican News Letter.
The Vatican Governorate confirmed the appointment on Thursday, noting that the transition had been in process prior to the passing of Pope Francis.
Fr D’Souza, who joined the Vatican Observatory in 2016 and has served as Superior of its Jesuit community since 2022, brings a strong academic and scientific background to the role. Originally from Goa, India, he holds a doctorate in astronomy, with past research conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany.
His work focuses on the merging of galaxies and the formation of structures like the Milky Way. He has also completed a postdoctoral program at the University of Michigan and is a member of the International Astronomical Union.
Reacting to the announcement, outgoing director Br Consolmagno expressed confidence in his successor: “I know that Fr. D’Souza has the vision and wisdom to carry the Observatory forward during this time of rapid change in astronomical research.”
Fr D’Souza praised Br Consolmagno’s decade-long leadership, highlighting his contributions to global scientific dialogue and the integration of faith and science.
After completing his term, Br Consolmagno will continue serving as a staff astronomer and as President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, based in Tucson, Arizona.
Founded in 1891 by Pope Leo XIII, the Vatican Observatory continues to support advanced astronomical research as a testament to the Church’s commitment to science. Its Jesuit astronomers study a wide range of topics, from galaxies and stars to the early universe and cosmology, while fostering dialogue between faith and science.
