Pope speaks with astronaut on anniversary of moon landing

Telescope at Castel Gandolfo Observatory. Image ICN/JS

Source: Vatican Media

Fifty-six years after the historic landing of Apollo 11 on the moon, Pope Leo XIV spoke over the phone with astronaut Buzz Aldrin of the historic achievement.

NASA launched Apollo 11, the first manned mission to land on the Moon, on 16 July 1969. On 20 July, Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon, and Buzz Aldrin, also on the spaceship, became the second.

The Vatican Press Office said: "He shared with him the memory of a historic achievement-a testimony to human ingenuity-and, using the words of Psalm 8, together they reflected on the mystery of Creation, its greatness, and its fragility."

Before ending the call, Pope Leo blessed the astronaut, his family, and his collaborators.

Following the conversation, Buzz Aldrin wrote on social media: "Anca and I were grateful and touched to receive the highest blessing from His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV on the 56th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. What an honour! We prayed for good health, long life, and prosperity for all humankind. #PopeLeoXIV."

For the anniversary of the 1969 moon landing, after the Pope recited the midday Angelus, he visited the telescopes and instruments in the Vatican Observatory at Castel Gandolfo.

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, informed journalists that Pope Leo, rather than returning, as initially planned, on Sunday to the Vatican, would stay in Castel Gandolfo until Tuesday - returning to the Vatican that evening.