VAT I C A N C I T Y P o p e Benedict XVI is marking the 400th
anniversary of Galileos use of a telescope. Benedic t sa id Sunday
he wanted to salute all who are marking the 2009 anniversary and
UNESCOs World Year of Astronomy. Speaking on the winter solstice,
Benedict said understanding the laws of nature can stimulate
understanding and appreciation of the Lords works. T h e C a t h o
l i c C h u r c h condemned Galileo in the 17th century for
supporting Nicholas Copernicus discovery that the Earth revolved
around the sun; church teaching at the t ime placed Earth at the
center of the universe. In 1992, Pope John Pau l II apologized,
saying that the denuncua t ion was a t rag i c error.(AP)
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Pope Benedict XVI 16200582 Pope John Paul II 25 mark v.
anniversary n. salute v. UNESCO the winter solstice appreciation
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condemn v. revolve v. ... teaching n. denuncuation n.
