1964: (more…)

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1983: (more…)

During the modern era the Catholic Church’s popes have ascended to power more or less transparently by way of politics and ideology, but historically things have been decidedly messier. Dozens of popes could be more accurately described as theocratic warlords than humble supplicants, and they left irredeemable blemishes upon the institution of the Church, the states of Europe, and – in a broader sense – humanity itself. ...

1989: (more…)

1974:...

Although commonly obfuscated by Christian historians, the Medieval era provides numerous records of the vices of popes and the clergy. Bishop Liutprand of Cremona, for example, wrote in his Antapodosis that they: “hunted on horses with gold trappings, had rich banquets with dancing girls when the hunt was over, and retired with these shameless whores to beds with silk sheets and gold-embroidered covers. All the Roman bishops were...

1990: (more…)

As a result of the scandalous behaviour of popes and cardinals, in 1408 King Charles VI of France excused the French Catholic Church and all French citizens from obedience to Pope Benedict XIII. Essentially, he negated his country’s official support for Christianity and declared France religiously neutral. Compared with the rest of Europe, France enjoyed a secular disposition that lingers to this day. However, at the time of...