The pontiff urged them to “not hesitate to share the joy and wonder” derived from the study of the cosmos, alluding to Saint Augustine’s teachings about the “seeds” of God sown in the harmony of the universe. He insisted that the goal of their scientific work is the benefit of all humanity, and encouraged them to share everything they learn, in the best possible way.

A comprehensive exploration program

For nearly a month, these young researchers received advanced training on the James Webb Space Telescope, participating in conferences with international experts, working on scientific projects, and taking cultural excursions to places such as Subiaco, Florence, Orvieto, and Ostia Antica.

The transformative potential of the James Webb Telescope

Under the theme “Exploring the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope,” the school highlights the unprecedented scope of the Webb mission, active since 2022. This mission captured the impressive “Cosmos-Web” field, with nearly 800,000 galaxies exposed in 255 hours of exposure, and opened the door to the study of exoplanetary atmospheres and nebulae where planetary systems could form .

The Pope recalled that thanks to this tool, “for the first time we can observe the atmospheres of exoplanets in depth… and study the nebulae where planetary systems are born.” He also emphasized that Webb allows us to “trace the ancient light of distant galaxies,” bringing us closer to the very origin of the universe.

Collaborative Science: A Decades-Long Legacy

The pontiff noted that the Webb Prize is the fruit of 30 years of collaboration between scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and many families and friends who supported this challenge. This multi-stakeholder effort underscores that science is built in community and must serve the common good.

Pope Leo XIV urged these emerging scientists to view science not merely as an intellectual pursuit, but as a shared and generous work, destined to illuminate everyone’s understanding of our universe.