Popes’ roles have changed over time. Some periods produced plenty of saintly popes, while others are notorious for the opposite.
The story of the ‘Cadaver Synod’ tells us that in some cases, even the departed can be held to account.
The history of how the Catholic Church has viewed the words of popes.
Meet Jakob Fugger, the man who underwrote the ambition of power-hungry medieval Princes.