Exploring the Cosmos: Vatican Observatory’s New Leader Discusses Wars, Galaxies, and the Future of Humanity

In 1990, a young boy named Fr. Richard D’Souza found himself living in a refugee camp in Jordan. Just 12 years old then, he and his family had lost everything when they fled Kuwait due to the Gulf War, traveling through Iraq and Syria. After three weeks in the camp, they made their way back to India.

Fr. D’Souza was born in Pune, India. His early experiences shaped his view of the world, giving him an understanding of conflict and displacement. He later joined the Jesuits and pursued physics in Heidelberg, Germany, where he discovered a passion for astronomy.

Today, as the director of the Vatican Observatory, he’s known as a “galactic archaeologist.” This title reflects his work studying how galaxies form and merge. Recently, he succeeded Br. Guy Consolmagno, becoming the first Indian to hold this prestigious position. This achievement is a proud moment for India, highlighting the growth of Indian representation in global science.

In an interview, Fr. D’Souza discussed the transformative power of his childhood experiences. He recalled how losing everything broadened his perspective on humanity’s challenges, especially in the Middle East, which remains a volatile region today.

Notably, his research includes the Andromeda galaxy, which merged with another galaxy two billion years ago. In 4-5 billion years, our Milky Way will collide with Andromeda. Such cosmic events are difficult to comprehend, and they prompt him to reflect on humanity’s future. He emphasized that now is a crucial time to address pressing issues like climate change, conflict, and poverty.

Fr. D’Souza also spoke about the intricacies of defining galaxies. Galaxies don’t have clear edges; rather, the density of stars gradually decreases towards the outer regions. When galaxies approach each other, distinguishing between their stars can become nearly impossible.

The advent of powerful telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope has changed astronomy significantly. These instruments provide vast amounts of data, which require human creativity to analyze. Despite advancements in technology, Fr. D’Souza believes that thinking critically about data remains essential.

He expressed excitement about the unexplored areas of the universe. With current limitations in observing distant regions, researchers aim to deepen their understanding of the cosmos. There’s a shared hope that discoveries will further illuminate the mysteries of existence.

As someone who has been awarded an asteroid named after him—Asteroid D’Souza—Fr. D’Souza feels honored but admits he knows little about it. This asteroid, discovered using the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, is among over 30 named after Jesuits, underlining the scientific contributions of religious individuals.

Throughout his life, Fr. D’Souza has found harmony between faith and science, viewing each as complementary forces. His journey reminds us of the importance of understanding our place in the universe while also addressing the issues we face on our home planet.

These insights reflect a blend of personal history, scientific inquiry, and spiritual belief, emphasizing how interconnected our experiences, our planet, and the universe truly are.



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