How do the locals feel about the middle finger phenomenon?

http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/galileo/finger.html

I confess perplexion.

That's ordinary in Italy. Many Catholic saints have there appendages and organs distributed and on display throughout the world. Most of the parts are in Italy. As another poster mentioned, in the cathedral they have the tongue of a saint on display. (Actually,I've been to Padua, they have a lot more than just a tongue.) Galileo is a bit odd as he's a secular scientist not a holy figure, but it's not that odd.

That's down in Tuscany. Here in Padova, at the main cathedral (Sant'Antonio), they have the tongue of the saint on display.

I've been to Padua; I seem to recall a lot more than just a tongue.

Yeah, there are some other bits and pieces, but the tongue is pretty distinctive.

But hey, in that museum we also have his telescope. And in Santa Croce there's his entire body, minus the middle finger I guess.