Born in 1978 in the coastal state of Goa, D’Souza has been involved with the Vatican Observatory since 2016. His career journey within the Catholic Church and the field of astronomy spans nearly three decades, marked by an intertwining of religious vocation and scientific inquiry.

Brother Consolmagno ends decade-long leadership

D’Souza will succeed Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, a Jesuit brother who has led the Vatican Observatory for the past ten years. Though he is stepping down from the directorship, Brother Consolmagno will remain active at the observatory as a staff astronomer.

The leadership change will officially take place in mid-September, allowing D’Souza to transition into his new duties while continuing his focus on galactic research. His scientific expertise lies in the formation and development of galaxies, a complex area within astrophysics.

D’Souza’s academic path includes both secular and religious education, exemplifying a dual commitment to faith and science that has defined the Vatican’s approach to astronomy for centuries.

A journey from India to Castel Gandolfo

He entered the Society of Jesus in 1996 and was ordained a Catholic priest in 2011. His philosophical and theological training took place at the Jnana Deepa Institute in India, a well-regarded center of religious scholarship.

Parallel to his religious studies, D’Souza earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from St. Xavier’s College, part of the University of Mumbai, in 2002. He then pursued advanced studies in Germany, completing a master’s degree in physics at the University of Heidelberg in 2005.

In 2016, the same year he earned a doctorate in astronomy from Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, D’Souza joined the Vatican Observatory staff. Since then, he has been based in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, where the observatory is located.

Vatican Observatory’s historical importance

The Vatican Observatory is one of the world’s oldest scientific research institutions dedicated to astronomy. It was formally modernized in 1891 under Pope Leo XIII through the motu proprio “Ut Mysticam,” initiated to demonstrate the Church’s support for scientific progress.

The observatory currently sits in Castel Gandolfo, roughly 15 miles southeast of Rome. The site also houses the Jesuit community responsible for staffing the institution, of which D’Souza serves as the superior.

The Church’s involvement in astronomy dates back to 1579, when Pope Gregory XIII, who instituted the Gregorian calendar still in use today, established the first Vatican observatory and entrusted its operations to the Jesuits.

A legacy of faith and astrophysics

D’Souza’s appointment links back to this deep historical engagement with science within the Catholic tradition. His scientific focus and religious training place him in a line of Jesuit scholars who have advanced astronomical research while serving ecclesiastical roles.

As director, he will oversee ongoing research, public outreach, and the training of new scholars in the integration of science and faith. His work could contribute both to expanding scientific knowledge and enhancing dialogue between the Church and the global scientific community.

Taking on the directorship signals a new chapter for the Vatican Observatory, while maintaining continuity in its Jesuit leadership and mission. It reflects Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to fostering scholarship rooted in both rigorous science and spiritual tradition.