Is the pope a civil sovereign? This book argues that he is, outlining how papal power extended beyond religion into law, diplomacy, and statecraft.
This examination lays out a historical view of the papacy’s authority, from the Middle Ages to modern concordats. It frames the pope as a political actor who influenced monarchs, treaties, and international relations, while distinguishing church teachings from political power. The text also discusses how papal diplomacy operates, including the role of nuncios and the Vatican’s interactions with other nations and legal systems.
- Traces the rise of papal supremacy and its reach over secular rulers and international law
- Explains how the pope negotiated treaties, ambassadors, and diplomatic precedence
- Looks at education and marriage issues, and how church authority intersected with public policy
- Highlights the claim that religious and political authority were tightly linked in this view of history
Ideal for readers seeking a concise, critical look at the historical claim of papal civil sovereignty and its implications for modern governance and church-state relations.