In 1633, the Roman Catholic Church condemned this man for teaching that the Earth revolves around the Sun. In 1992, after a 13-year investigation by the church, Pope John Paul II pardoned him. Who was he?

The Italian astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei found himself at the center of a monumental clash between emerging science and established religious doctrine. Using the newly invented telescope (Deals), he made groundbreaking observations, such as the moons orbiting Jupiter and the phases of Venus, which provided strong evidence for the heliocentric model proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus. This model, which placed the Sun at the center of the universe, directly contradicted the Church's long-held geocentric view that the Earth was the fixed center of all creation.

His influential 1632 book, "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems," openly championed the Copernican view. This led to his trial by the Roman Inquisition in 1633. Found "vehemently suspect of heresy," Galileo was forced to publicly recant his scientific findings. This recantation saved him from being burned at the stake, a fate that had befallen others. Instead, he was sentenced to house arrest, which he served for the remainder of his life until his death in 1642.

The Galileo affair became a lasting symbol of the conflict between science and faith. Centuries later, in 1979, Pope John Paul II initiated an investigation to re-examine the case. After 13 years of study, the Church was ready to formally address its past actions. In 1992, the Pope delivered a formal address that acknowledged the errors made by