Pope Benedict XVI has saluted those celebrating the IYA2009

22 December 2008

Pope Benedict XVI has saluted those celebrating the International Year of Astronomy 2009. His announcement came on the astronomically significant winter solstice. Benedict explained that understanding the laws of nature can stimulate understanding and appreciation of the Lord's works.

IYA2009 marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo's observations using a telescope. His discoveries supported the idea that the Earth orbits the Sun, and not the other way around. The Catholic Church condemned Galileo in the 17th Century for these beliefs, but Pope John Paul II apologised for this in 1992.

News sources:

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0806388.htm

http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4770735

http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=9561208

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=8118376&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.9.1

 

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The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is endorsed by the United Nations and the International Council of Science.