Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Richard Anthony D’Souza, S.J., as the new Director of the Vatican Observatory, following a succession plan initiated before the passing of Pope Francis.
Fr. Richard Anthony D’Souza, S.J., has been named the Director of the Vatican Observatory by Pope Leo XIV, according to an announcement released by the Vatican Governorate. This appointment follows a succession process that had been set into motion before the death of Pope Francis.
Fr. D’Souza, who holds a doctorate in astronomy and has been with the Observatory since 2016, is set to succeed Br. Guy Consolmagno, S.J., who will complete his mandate on September 19, 2025. Br. Consolmagno expressed his satisfaction with the appointment, stating, “I am delighted that His Holiness has chosen Fr. D’Souza to be the next director of the Vatican Observatory. 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, especially given his experience with space telescopes and advanced computational techniques.”
Fr. D’Souza acknowledged the leadership of Br. Consolmagno, remarking, “During his ten years of leadership, Br. Consolmagno has distinguished himself for his dedication to dialogue between science and faith, to scientific dissemination, and the promotion of astronomical research at the international level.”
Upon the completion of his term as Director, Br. Consolmagno will continue his work as a staff astronomer and serve as the President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, based in Tucson, Arizona.
Born in 1978 in Goa, India, Fr. D’Souza joined the Society of Jesus in 1996, later being ordained a priest in 2011. His educational journey includes a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and a Master in Physics from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. He completed his doctoral studies in astronomy at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Munich, with research centered on the formation and evolution of galaxies. Additionally, he participated in a post-doctoral program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Since 2016, Fr. D’Souza has served as a staff member of the Vatican Observatory, and since 2022, he has also been the Superior of the Jesuit community there. His research focuses on the merging of galaxies and its effects on contemporary galactic properties, such as those seen in the Milky Way. He is well-published in international scientific journals and is a member of the International Astronomical Union, among other collaborations. Notably, an asteroid has recently been named in his honor.
The Vatican Observatory, one of the world’s oldest astronomical institutions, was founded in 1891 under Pope Leo XIII. Its mission, established through the papal Motu Proprio “Ut Mysticam,” is to demonstrate that the Church supports and encourages true science. The Observatory’s Jesuit astronomers explore diverse fields ranging from stars to the cosmos, seeking a deep understanding of the universe and facilitating a dialogue that intertwines science, theology, and Church tradition.
Fr. D’Souza’s appointment represents a continued commitment to this mission, as the Observatory navigates new advancements in the study of the universe, reflecting the Church’s enduring support for scientific inquiry.