 Dava Sobel argues that prior to Galileo 's 1633 trial and judgement for heresy , Pope Urban VIII had become preoccupied with court intrigue and problems of state , and began to fear persecution or threats to his own life . In this context , Sobel argues that the problem of Galileo was presented to the pope by court insiders and enemies of Galileo . Having been accused of weakness in defending the church , Urban reacted against Galileo out of anger and fear . 
