Description
While there are many worthwhile narratives about the tremendous changes in the intersection of culture and Christian religions over the last 90 years, the role of the papacy both internally and on the world stage is a most significant one. The course will utilize this 2025 publication, by Philip Shenon, as the primary approach to these changes and how individual popes both shaped and were shaped by events and cultures in our lifetimes. Pontiffs from Pius XII through Francis will be examined for their impact on the Catholic Church, other religions, and the world at large. This period is arguably the era of greatest change in pontificates and their impact on world history since the 15th century and merits a deeper appreciation.
