Pope Pius XI

The diary of the Specola indicates that Pope Pius XI held more than a dozen audiences with the astronomers of the Specola Vaticana, from 6 May 1922 to 31 O October 1938. It was his generous support that allowed the observatory to move to new quarters within the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo, including two new telescopes. He also dedicated the Specola to the care of Our Lady of Good Counsel, and proposed the motto for the Specola, “Deum Creatorem Venite Adoremus”.