ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV marked the 56th anniversary of man’s arrival on the moon Sunday with a visit to the Vatican astronomical observatory in Castel Gandolfo and a call to astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Buzz Aldrin pays tribute to the Apollo 11 mission on its anniversary, invoking Kennedy's famous speech and expressing gratitude to all who helped achieve the historic moon landing.

July 21 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV spoke with astronaut Buzz Aldrin to discuss the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. During the call, the two reminisced on the 1969 landing, "reflecting on the mystery of creation, its greatness and fragility."