Since June 1, the corridors of the Jesuit-run Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo have once again been filled with the voices and languages of young people from all over the world. The latest edition of the Vatican Observatory Summer School (VOSS) is in full swing. This biennial event has been bringing together young researchers in the field of astronomy for almost forty years for an intensive program of advanced training and international exchange.

The 2025 edition, which will end on June 27, has as its theme “Exploring the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope” and focuses on the new frontiers of astrophysical research opened up by this revolutionary space instrument. The 25 participants were selected from hundreds of applications received from universities and research institutes around the world. They come from all continents, with a particular focus on developing countries, in line with the School’s mission to promote a more equitable and global scientific representation. They are young researchers in training, doctoral students, and recent graduates.

The School’s program consists of lectures, practical exercises, group discussions, and seminars given by leading international researchers working at universities and research centres specializing in the analysis of data produced by the James Web Space Telescope (JWST). Topics covered include the observation of primordial galaxies, the study of exoplanets, star formation, and advanced spectroscopy.

In addition to providing a solid theoretical foundation, the School offers participants the opportunity to directly analyse data produced by the JWST, using cutting-edge digital tools and software. The aim is twofold: on the one hand, to deepen understanding of modern observational techniques, and on the other, to enable young scholars to acquire skills that are immediately applicable in their own research contexts.

VOSS is not just an academic experience. Since its foundation, the School has been conceived as a meeting place between science and humanity, where knowledge is not reduced to information but translates into relationships, openness, and dialogue. Participants live together, share meals, breaks, and cultural visits in central Italy, Rome, and the surrounding area.

Many former participants, now active in universities and observatories around the world, remember VOSS as a decisive moment in their academic careers. Collaborations established during the School have often led to joint projects and shared publications, strengthening the role of the Specola as a hub of a global scientific network.

The Vatican Observatory Summer School is one of the longest-running educational initiatives promoted by an astronomical institution. Over the years, the School has hosted students from over 70 countries and has covered topics ranging from cosmology to astrobiology, from celestial mechanics to the most advanced observational techniques. The 2025 edition, focusing on the JWST, is fully in line with this tradition of attention to the most current frontiers of scientific research. At a time when international collaboration is increasingly crucial in the field of science, VOSS continues to offer a unique context for training new generations of astronomers and strengthening the link between research, education, and global responsibility.