VOICED: Star-gazing brings Vatican astronomers 'closer to God'

Guy Consolmagno, a Jesuit priest and full-time astronomer, works at the Vatican Observatory, where faith and science intersect. His belief in God fuels his scientific pursuits, as he seeks to uncover the universe's secrets. The Observatory, located at the Pope's summer residence, boasts a vast meteorite collection and has made significant scientific contributions, such as proving the Green flash phenomenon. The Vatican's astronomers now embrace open-mindedness, even considering extraterrestrial life, marking a shift from past skepticism towards Galileo's heliocentric theory.

What is the significance of the Vatican Observatory's location at Castell Gandolfo?

In what ways has the role of papal astronomers changed since Galileo's time?