August 10 marks an annual Italian summer tradition, believed to be the best night to see shooting stars: the night of St. Lawrence. And there is a reason for this name.
He was one of the first martyrs of the Church and was burned on an iron grill. He is said to have cried tears of fire that became shooting stars. So every August 10 across Italy, the stars shown are said to be the tears of St. Lawrence.
People across Italy look to spot a shooting star. And even the Vatican's observatory, one of the oldest in the world, may be turned towards the skies during this night.
SABINO MAFFEO
Astronomer
It was opened in 1891 by Pope Leo XIII on the suggestion of Fr. Francis Dense to show the world that the Church was not against science.
Not only are science and faith linked, but they also need each other.
PAUL MUELLER
Astronomer
Science cannot work if there is no order and something already exists.
This connection could clearly be seen in 1969 when Pope Paul VI followed an unprecedented event from the Vatican observatory: the arrival of man on the moon.
And other popes, like John XXIII, Benedict XVI and Francis, followed suit using the observatory to continue looking to the skies.
AM
TR: KG
