By Gina Christian OSV News Many things are named in honor of popes, including shrines, schools and other structures. The convention has taken to the heavens — literally. The Vatican Observatory announced in an April 29 press release that an asteroid has been named in honor of Pope Leo XIII, who formally reestablished the observatory […]
New asteroids named for ‘calendar’ pope, three Jesuit astronomers
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Three Jesuit astronomers and the 16th-century pope who commissioned the Gregorian calendar have recently been honored with having asteroids named after them. The new additions include: “562971 Johannhagen,” honoring Austrian Jesuit Father Johann Hagen, who was serving as director of the Georgetown University Observatory when Pope […]