The Encounter with Peter Damiano and the Contemplatives

Dante and Beatrice ascend to the sphere of Saturn, where the souls of contemplatives appear as a golden ladder. St. Peter Damiano descends and speaks with Dante. He explains that he was a contemplative monk who was forced to become a cardinal, and he condemns the luxury of the modern clergy. He tells Dante that the mystery of predestination is beyond the comprehension of even the highest angels. Other souls descend the ladder, and their cry is so loud that Dante is overwhelmed. This episode emphasizes the value of the contemplative life and the limits of human understanding.