Pope Innocent III

Mural of bearded Medieval Pope Innocent the Third bestowing blessings inside Italian abbey

Pope Innocent III (c. 1160-1216) was one of the most influential popes of the Middle Ages. Upon his election in 1198, Innocent sought to reform the papacy and establish its supreme authority over both spiritual and temporal matters in medieval Christendom. During his pontificate, Innocent centralized power in the papal curia, reformed the Roman Curia, […]

1204 AD Fourth Crusade sacks Constantinople

The Fourth Crusade‘s sack of Constantinople in 1204 marked a pivotal moment in medieval history, profoundly impacting the East-West Schism. This catastrophic event not only wrought immense physical destruction but also deepened the religious and cultural divide between the Eastern Orthodox and Western Roman Catholic Churches. Origins and Objectives The Fourth Crusade began as a […]