India, Aug. 2 -- Indian Catholic priest Richard D'Souza has been appointed as the new director of the Vatican Observatory. The newly elected Pope Leo XIV confirmed his appointment on Thursday evening.

D'Souza, 47, a Jesuit priest who hails from Goa and who holds a doctorate in Astronomy will succeed the existing head of one of the world's oldest astronomical observatories, will succeed incumbent Guy Consolmagno, when his term ends on September 15.

"I am very honoured to be appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the next Director of the Vatican Observatory," D'Souza said in a comment to HT.

"On one hand, I am aware of the many high-profile Jesuits who have held this position in the past and have paved the way for the Observatory's success today: ...