Heliocentric

The Pope was wearing a grand red robe. His presence froze those around him. Even the creases on his holy garment stood still.

"Will you recant?"

Galileo, in simple white dress, answered with conviction. "But why? Does the Church not believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that man's salvation revolves around Him alone?"

"Of course!"

"Then why must I recant a revelation from the cosmos depicting this mighty truth?"

A straight portion of the Pope's robe furrowed.

"Since Adam, man has forever strived to make a name for himself. He has always declared himself center of the universe and has suffocated the world with his many towers. Human potential reigns supreme. And now even the Sun, the giver of light and life, bows with suppliant knee at dawn and dusk. Do you not see? Our wicked senses have again corrupted the truth! If we owe our fleeting lives to the immutable Son of God, dare we deify his power and humbly acknowledge that this dusty earth should chase after the constant Sun?"

There was a silence and then the Pope released him. As he walked away, a smile crept across his face.