Popes and the Papacy: A History

This course is designed to illuminate for both Catholics and non-Catholics the remarkable institution known as the “Petrine Office.”

Overview

Course No. 6672

This 24-lecture course explores:

• 2000 years of papal history from Peter to Benedict XVI
• Four key dimensions of the papacy: idea, institution, biography, civilization
• Critical turning points like the Great Schism and Vatican II
• Modern challenges facing the 21st century papacy

What You’ll Discover:

✓ How the papacy survived Rome’s fall and shaped medieval Europe
✓ The Renaissance popes’ dual role as spiritual leaders and political figures
✓ Why the 14th century saw three rival popes simultaneously
✓ How Vatican II transformed modern Catholicism
✓ The global influence of John Paul II’s pontificate

Video Lectures

Section 1: Foundations & Middle Ages

01-04: Early Centuries (30-31 min)
Petrine idea, Gregory the Great, Charlemagne era

05-08: Medieval Challenges (31 min each)
Papal government, “Age of Iron,” Investiture Controversy

Section 2: Renaissance & Reformation

09-13: Papal Monarchy (30-31 min)
Avignon exile, Great Schism, Renaissance politics/culture

14-15: Reform Movements (31 min)
Protestant challenge and Catholic Counter-Reformation

Section 3: Modern Papacy

16-21: Revolution to Vatican II (30-31 min)
Enlightenment impacts, Pius IX-XII, Vatican II reforms

22-24: Contemporary Era (30-32 min)
Vatican operations, John Paul II, Benedict XVI