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"3- Christianity And Papal Power"

Rome Tourist Guide History  

3- Christianity and Papal Power

Christianity was regarded with suspicion and outright hostility throughout much of the Roman Empire's reign. But although Christians faced severe persecution, the religion didn't lose strength. In fact, the official repression only fuelled the believers' fervour who continued to gather and practice in secret. Christianity became the Empire's official religion under Constantine the Great in 324 A.D. but this seems to have been an act of convenience rather than true belief on the emperor's part. Constantine was known for having committed a slew of heinous crimes, including the murder of his own mother and only converted to Christianity shortly before his death. Perhaps Christianity was the only religion that offered a way to repent for the grave sins committed during his lifetime or perhaps the pressure of the growing religious movement was simply getting too great.

The Empire's full acceptance of Christianity put an end to a gruesome chapter in Roman history. Christians were no longer used as human torches, a common practice during Nero's reign, nor were they (along with many others) subjected to a violent death in the Coliseum's infamous arena. However, the barbarian invasions that were pushing in from the north did not bid well for the religion's future.

Pope Gregory I was one of the key players in keeping Christianity alive. He oversaw the construction of several important basilicas, and word began to spread about the crucial role Rome was playing in fostering the religion. The city gradually became an important destination for pilgrims throughout Europe. In the year 774, Pope Leo III ensured that Charlemagne was crowned the next emperor of Rome. The pontiff and the emperor saw the alliance as an opportunity that served both their interests. Charlemagne declared that it was his responsibility to defend the Catholic Church and the Pope's to pray for the empire and its victory in battle.   

The Papal States grew alongside the city states for a long time, but it gradually became clear that Rome was no longer a safe place for the pontiffs. Violent confrontations between the armed gangs of several Roman noble families had become daily events, turning Rome into a tumultuous battlefield. Pope Clement V, a French pontiff, used the unstable situation in Rome as an excuse to move his court to Avignon in 1309, a period that came to be known as the Babylonian Captivity. The era came to an end in 1377 when Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome and set up residence in the Vatican, which, at that point, was just another Roman neighbourhood.

During the 15^th and 16^th century, the pontiffs decided that they had to firmly establish their power. They chose a rather unusual course - the complete reconstruction of the city. This brought about a truly magnificent, creative period, resulting in some of the most famous pieces of Roman art known to us today. In order to kindle and maintain this flourishing of the arts, the pontiffs often resorted to less than "proper" means. This era brought the pontiffs much power and knowledge, but the wealth that they were accumulating put them in a dangerous spotlight. Neighbouring nations, especially France and Spain, coveted the immense, papal riches and decided that Italy had to be theirs.

The troops of Spanish king Charles V invaded Rome in 1527. Pope Clement VII managed to save his life by hiding out in the Castel Sant'Angelo, but the city had no choice but to surrender to the Spanish Empire. At the same, the Protestant Reformation was gaining strength in European countries like Germany and England, a situation that didn't favour the papacy. Instead, the pontiffs aligned themselves with Rome's most powerful families throughout the 17^th century, a move that produced one of the most splendid artistic periods in Roman history. The city once again took centre stage for its magnificent art, a time that embellished Rome with baroque masterpieces by illustrious artists like Bernini and Borromini.

Napoleon was also enticed by the treasures of Rome. He invaded the city in 1796 and ruled the papal territories until 1815 when the Papal States were restored to power during the Congress of Vienna. For a long time following the Congress of Vienna, the Papal States grew increasingly powerful until it seemed that their reign was all but invincible. But then, in 1871, they were conquered yet again. Rome was proclaimed the capital of the newly unified state of Italy and the pontiffs were left with no choice but to literally lock themselves into the Vatican like prisoners in a gilded cage.