great refusal 

A phrase from the Divine Comedy by Dante. Its meaning has been debated by literary scholars, who believe it to either refer to the resignation of the Papacy by Celestine V, or the killing of Christ by Pontus Pilate.

“I saw and recognized the shade of him
who made, through cowardice, the great refusal”

great refusal by City_of_dis February 1, 2024