Pope John Paul II acknowledged that the Inquisition had erred in condemning Galileo for asserting that the Earth revolves around the Sun. This represented a formal reconciliation between the Catholic Church and Galileo, centuries after his death.

Galileo Galilei died in Arcetri, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, at the age of 77. His death marked the end of a life dedicated to scientific inquiry, despite facing opposition from the Church. Galileo's death represents the loss of a major figure in the scientific revolution.