If Copernicus was such a religious man, why did he beheve that a geocentric system was correct?

I'm not sure which of these is more religious, but a religious person can respond to scientific discoveries in one of two ways: either by accepting the wonder that is revealed to them, or by withdrawing behind their faith.

Copernicus's religious beliefs did not necessarily conflict with his heliocentric model of the solar system. His belief in a geocentric system was influenced more by the prevailing scientific and philosophical beliefs of his time rather than solely by religious convictions. Additionally, Copernicus was not completely dismissive of religious doctrine but rather sought to reconcile his scientific observations with theological principles.

It's important to note that during Copernicus's era, the geocentric model proposed by Ptolemy was widely accepted both scientifically and religiously. The idea of Earth being the center of the universe was deeply ingrained in Western thought and supported by theological interpretations of scripture. Copernicus faced significant opposition from both the scientific and religious communities when he proposed the heliocentric model.

While Copernicus was indeed a devout Christian and held religious positions within the church, such as a canon and administrator, his religious beliefs did not dictate his scientific inquiries. Instead, Copernicus was driven by a desire to understand the natural world through observation and mathematical analysis, which ultimately led him to develop his heliocentric model.

Moreover, Copernicus's decision to delay the publication of his work, "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), until near the end of his life was likely influenced by concerns about potential backlash from the church. He dedicated his book to Pope Paul III, indicating a degree of respect for ecclesiastical authority and a desire to present his findings in a manner that would minimize controversy.

In conclusion, while Copernicus's religious beliefs may have influenced his approach to presenting his scientific ideas, they did not hinder his acceptance of the heliocentric model. His adherence to a geocentric system was more a product of the intellectual milieu of his time rather than a reflection of his personal religious convictions.