Theme of Canto XIX

The theme of religious retribution is what is being displayed in cantos XIX. The Simonist are upside-down in holes resembling baptismal fonts which illustrate that their sin debased their office. Their feet are on fire most likely lit by the oil of the last rites. Their time in the font is limited because when a new sinner comes he takes the previous sinner's place, and the previous sinner is shoved down into the rock for eternity. This is similar to the succession of Simonists in office.