Isn't every year the year of astronomy?

Pontiff Says People Aren't Governed by the Stars;
Reiterates Galileo's Thought on Cosmos
from EWTN News:

The Pope affirmed this Tuesday during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica that celebrated the magi of the east, who arrived to Bethlehem following a star. During his homily he spoke of Galileo's idea that love governs the cosmos.

The Holy Father noted that 2009 marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first observations by telescope. This anniversary motivated UNESCO to proclaim '09 an International Year of Astronomy. The Pontiff spoke of… the passion & the faith of many scientists, who following the steps of Galileo, renounce neither reason nor faith. What's more, they deeply value both, in their reciprocal fruitfulness."

"Christian thought compares the cosmos to a 'book,' -- Galileo himself said this -- considering it as a work of an Author." According to this book, he said, "divine love, incarnated in Christ is the fundamental & universal law of creation. This should not be understood in a poetic, but in a real sense."

"This means that the stars, the planets [&] the entire universe are not governed by a blind force, [&] do not obey only the dynamics of matter," he said. "Therefore, cosmic elements shouldn't be divinized, but on the contrary, in everything & above everything, there is a personal will, the Spirit of God, who in Christ revealed himself as love." Hence… people are not slaves of cosmic elements, "but are free, that is, they are capable of relating themselves with the creative liberty of God."

"He is at the origin of everything & governs everything," the Pope said, "not as a cold or anonymous motor, but as a Father, Spouse, Friend, Brother, as Logos, 'Word-Reason,' who has united himself to our mortal flesh once & for all & has fully shared our condition, manifesting the superabundant power of his grace."

[Note: the error for which Galileo was indicted was not observing the heavens through his telescope – the hierarchy had previously encouraged & subsidized his studies – but in disobedience & breaking his promises. Also, he was wrong. The planets do not “circle” the sun; it was Kepler that determined with great accuracy that they move in ellipses with the sun at one foci.]