Although a nation 's king or queen appeared to impose the most unchallenged form of authority within societies of that time, the highest reign of mass supremacy truly lied within the sacred hands of the Pope. However, before the start of Protestantism, there were still many areas where the Pope had much less of a voice in affairs. Take for instance Greece, Byzantium, Russia, Moorish Spain, the Baltic and other such regions. The latter of those places were either non-Christian or non-Catholic. The Pope held the most influence over the masses like a shepherd to a flock of sheep because of numerous reasons.
He was a religious figure and perhaps even considered the holiest non-Biblical person of all Catholicism. People at the time obviously did not dare to challenge such an esteemed individual. It was because they feared being cursed of eternal damnation for the rest of their sinful lives.
…show more content…
Even the Byzantine Emperor, who was an Orthodox and not a Catholic, desperately begged him for aid during a chaotic state of emergency, when the Seljuk Turks overran Asia Minor or Anatolia. This sparked a series of controversial Crusades in Europe and the Middle East.
The Pope held direct control of the Western Church. Harming any member of the clergy could land the assailant in death, unless he or she had a good alibi. Such excuses could include claims of corruption and the like.
The Church also earned lots of money from donations and taxes. People from all walks of life joined the clergy or the crusades in his name. Many others also gathered to see him for various