Still the Eighth Heaven: the Sphere of the Fixed Stars. The hymn of the blessed. St. Peter’s condemnation of the popes and the corrupt Church. His urging of Dante to fulfill his mission on earth. Dante’s earthward gaze. Ascent to the Ninth Heaven, the Primum Mobile. Its nature explained by Beatrice. Her discourse on the present straying of the world; her prophecy of its redemption.