The Pope and the Heretic

Giordano Bruno's relentless pursuit of a comprehensive philosophical system led him to gain influential patrons while simultaneously clashing with the Catholic Church. His radical ideas resulted in his arrest by the Inquisition, where he faced torture and an eight-year imprisonment before being executed by burning in 1600. Despite the Vatican's expression of regret over his death, they have not absolved him of heresy, highlighting the enduring tension between innovative thought and institutional authority.