THE physicists who took on the pope in the name of Galileo may now be regretting their move, in the face of a backlash from the Italian public.
The pope had been due to give a speech last week marking the opening of the academic year at the University of Rome La Sapienza, but he cancelled his visit after 67 academics wrote a letter of protest and students held demonstrations. The academics objected to remarks by the pope in 1990 suggesting the church鈥檚 condemnation of the astronomer Galileo in the 17th century was rational and just.
Many people feel that the pope鈥檚 freedom of speech has been suppressed, says Cristiano Germani, a physicist at the International School of Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy. 鈥淭he university was wrong to invite the pope, but once done, the students were wrong to protest against his right to speak, and that鈥檚 making Italians crazy,鈥� he says. On Sunday, more than 200,000 people turned out in support of the pope at his weekly sermon.
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鈥淭hey were wrong to invite him, but once done, students were wrong to protest鈥�
Meanwhile, high-profile physicists who signed the letter have found themselves in the firing line. Luciano Maiani, former director general of CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, had recently been named as head of Italy鈥檚 National Research Council, but some members of the Italian parliament have now called on the government to block his appointment.
The rector of La Sapienza is reported to be planning to reissue his invitation.
