Pope Nicholas III

1). Copernicus came from Poland, a very Catholic nation, which explains his choice to dedicate his book to Pope Paul III. John Calvin, a theologian who founded the Calvinist sect of Protestantism, was very fond of astronomy, saying that it shows the wisdom of God (Doc. 2). Other religious figures condemned the work of scientists, like Giovanni Ciampoli, who in a

Pope Innocent III began a sequence of changes that influenced the face of secular and ecclesiastical Europe through careful use of law and political manipulation. It has been remarked that the papacy acquired and retained the most power under the leadership of Pope Innocent III during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. I plan to examine sources primarily pertaining to the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 and secondly to a collection of Innocent III’s papal letters. In my analysis, I hope to draw

and happy” (25). Niccolo Machiavelli considers Cesare Borgia to be a great example to follow if one wishes to apprehend, secure, and strengthen their principalities. Cesare Borgia was a great prince whom gained his principality through his father Pope Alexander VI by fortune. He exhibited great prowess to secure his state, but lost it to unfortunate fortune, that led to his fall and death. Cesare Borgia, called Duke Valentino, came into power through “his roots in the state that the arms and fortune

this peace did not last very long and ended in a large disagreements and hostility between the two (Doc 2). Another motivation of the Spanish was said by Queen Isabella, before her death when she said, “Our principal intention, in soliciting from Pope Alexander VI the concession of the lands discovered and to be discovered was to convert their peoples to our holy Catholic faith…”(Doc 4). Her statement confirmed that her main motive for exploration was to spread her Catholic faith. This motivation

"What dear brothers, is more delightful than the voice of the Lord calling to us?" ~ Saint Benedict. Benedict was born on March 2, 480 in Norcia, Italy. As a child, Benedict attended primary school in his hometown. However, he then traveled to Rome to continue his studies in literature and law. Appalled by Rome's political issues, Benedict decided to leave the city and reside with a group of priests. In the ministry, he preformed his first miracle. Benedict restored a broken wheat sifter to its perfect

centralize and regiment the prosecutorial process, derived from the reformist popes fighting to establish papal supremacy. To be clear, the papal reform movement did not start the process of persecuting heresy; some of Christianity’s first leaders, such as the second-century bishop Irenaeus of Lyons, wrote about heresy and how to combat it. Furthermore, prosecutorial episodes occurred before the election of the first reformist pope, Leo IX, in 1049. One of the most famous examples occurred in the French

more power: the Pope or a king? The power struggle between religious leaders and leaders of nations came into fruition around the eleventh century and lasted for hundreds of years afterward. As Popes tried to gain power, their decisions were seen as corrupt by numerous Europeans. Dante Alghieri, through his book The Inferno, establishes his negative opinion by his portrayal of Popes. Machiavelli does the same in The Prince, often pointing out the shortcomings of Popes. At the time, Popes portrayed themselves

experienced many influential popes, whose accomplishments changed the course of history. Many of these popes become known for both their positive accomplishments, which brought prosperity to their people, and for their failures, which in many cases led to their own death. Throughout the given time period, Pope Nicholas II, Pope Gregory VII, Pope Innocent III, and Pope Gregory IX, were all influential popes whose accomplishments are what they are most remembered for. First, Pope Nicholas II decreed that the

Papacy and Power, “Popes have been ‘players’ in the world since at least the fifteenth century pontificate of pope Leo the Great.” Weigel was precise, the political role of the pope has been in place since 440 A.D. and significantly increased following the sack of Rome. As stated earlier, the unbroken line of bishops starting with St. Peter was not recognized as the papacy until centuries later. In 312, churches emerged and became public buildings. With that being said, popes of the earlier years

Melebolge is the 8th circle of hell. It contains corrupt and hypocritical people. In the 29th canto Dante finds himself surrounded by damned souls who are guilty of simony. Among them is Pope Nicholas III who mistakes Dante for Pope Boniface VII, signaling that Boniface VII will soon arrive there as well. This canto is interesting to historians as this gives us a unique perspective into the political climate of Florence and the medieval world at that time.