Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History

The challenge of balancing spiritual and worldly interests changes as papal authority grows.

As the pope's temporal power and political influence grows, so does corruption in the church.

The power of the papacy is questioned, splintering what was once a universal church.

Wartime popes navigate their place as a spiritual leader in an increasingly political world.

Pope John Paul II turns an ancient institution into the modern papacy we know today.