mong Galileo's most beautifulToday, these views are widely shared and officially recognized by the Church. In fact, in1893, Pope Leo XIII wrote a paper which presented the church's official point of view concerningthe relationships between science and scripture; this statement cannot be distinguished fromGalileo's. Even in Galileo's time, the highest authorities of the Church did not call his letters toCastelli and Cristina into question; but some in the Church did criticize them. To these few whohad little understanding of new developments in science, Galileo's writings seemed an outsider'sinterference in religious matters. A Dominican friar denounced the Letter to Castelli to theInquisition. Another Dominican, Father Tomaso Caccini, who had once been disciplined for beinga "scandal-maker," preached a sermon against Galileo in the popular church of Santa MariaNovella in Florence. He concluded by saying that mathematics was an art of the devil, thatmathematicians were the source of all heresies and should be ousted from all countries. Shortlyafterward, he too testified against Galileo before the Inquisition.Although there was secrecy surrounding the Inquisition, Galileo became aware of whatwas going on in Rome and decided his presence was needed there. He was warmly welcomedand stayed at the Villa Medici, the Tuscan embassy, on the Grand Duke's order. Although hisfriends strongly advised against it, Galileo immediately resumed his campaign in favor ofCopernicus through intense talks and discussions with almost everyone of importance in Romeand through several new writings. In fact, several cardinals did their best to persuade him to keepquiet in public about Copernicus, regardless of his private belief, but Galileo could not bedeterred.Ultimately, the Inquisition never really questioned the theological views that Galileo hadexpressed in his letters; and he was able to clear himself of charges of heresy and blasphemyconcerning t...
