Pope & the Church

Pope's role:
-claimed papal supremacy; claimed authority over kings and emperors
-the Church believed that the Pope was God's representative on Earth and that kings were also appointed by Go
-headed and supervised church activities
-There was only 1 pope

Church's importance:
-The support of the powerful and influential organisation of the Church assisted the kings and nobles to maintain social order
-Monarchs would often give land to the clergy to show their support.
-Land was also donated to the Church by wealthy nobles, in the belief that it would earn them a place in heaven.

The pope was the spiritual leader of the Western Christian Church.