The Pope's Astronomer: Lessons from a Decade Leading the Vatican Observatory

Since 1891, if the Pope--whether it be John Paul II, Benedict, Francis, or Leo--has had questions about the stars, he would turn to the leadership of the Vatican Observatory. For the past decade, Brother Guy Consolmagno has been that leader, with a team of scientists operating out of facilities in both Rome and the Arizona desert.

The science conducted in those places is exactly what you'd expect from any serious astronomically oriented outfit--it's just all done by Jesuits with an eye toward not just the heavens, but the greater glory of God.

Brother Guy, as he is known, came to Rome's Castel Gandolfo in 1993 as a staff scientist, so to speak. Along the way, he had discerned that though he was destined for a vocation, he was not suited to the priesthood. He is the author of among other books, "Finding God in the Universe," and "Would you Baptize an Extraterrestrial? ...and Other Questions from the Astronomer's Inbox at the Vatican Observatory."

Brother Guy retired last September and will join us in conversation with Kirsten Ellenbogen, President and CEO of the Great Lakes Science Center.

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