The latest bulletin of the IAU (International Astronomical Union) Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature contains some exciting news for scientists at the Vatican Observatory. Several asteroids co-discovered by Vatican astronomer Fr. Richard P. Boyle, SJ, together with his longtime collaborator K. Černis (of Vilnius, Lithuania), using the Vatican Observatory’s VATT telescope on Mount Graham, have received official names.

Faithful to Christ until the end

Vincent of Saragossa (also known as Vincent of Tarragona) was born in Spain in the third century, probably in Huesca, although other traditions mention Valencia or Saragossa as his place of origin. Coming from a noble family—the son of the consul Eutychius and the matron Enola—he received a meticulous education in letters and religious formation. From a young age he was entrusted to Bishop Valerius of Saragossa, who appointed him archdeacon and charged him with preaching and assisting him in his pastoral duties.

Twenty-Five Years of Collaboration

Nearly twenty-five years after the first technical internship inside the Vatican carried out with students from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, a delegation from the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of Vatican City State visited the campus of the American university, which had been previously attended by Pope Leo XIV.

The operations to dismantle the Nativity Scene and remove the Christmas tree set up in St. Peter’s Square for Christmas have been completed. As announced, starting on Monday, January 12, after the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, the dismantling and relocation activities began. These were carried out by staff from the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services of the Governorate, together with the organizers of the Nativity.

Between Mission and Innovation

The integration of cash management with digital payments, the automation of the Vatican Pharmacy’s warehouse, and the full development of credit and remote sales operations to ensure greater accuracy, transparency, and control. These are the projects that the Vatican Pharmacy will implement over the course of 2026. They are discussed in this interview with www.vaticanstate.va by Br. Thomas Binish Mulackal of the Order of the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God (Fatebenefratelli), Director of the Vatican Pharmacy.