Part Two, On Bellosguardo Summary and Analysis

Part two begins with "How Our Father Is Favored." The chapter starts out with a letter from Maria Celeste to Galileo. Galileo had shared a letter he received from the Cardinal turned Pope. Maria Celeste was pleased that the Supreme Pontiff was obviously so fond of her father. Maria Celeste had asked to see the letter Galileo wrote in return and at that time was unaware that writing such a letter would be inappropriate. Instead, Galileo sent congratulations through the Pope's nephew, Francesco, who was also a former student.

In August 1623, Maffeo Cardinal Barberini accepted the appointment as Pontiff. The Cardinal took the name Urban VIII. Galileo was immediately aware that his relationship with the recently appointed Pope would certainly benefit him in many ways. Galileo eventually wrote a letter to the Pontiff in a...