Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History

The modern pope is the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, the head of an independent nation, who wields international influence on a wide range of both religious and secular issues. But to understand how one man and one institution rises to such heights, we must go back 2,000 years to the remarkable origins of the Catholic Church. Beginning with Peter's perilous grassroots movement in the wake of Christ's crucifixion, we'll follow Christianity's dramatic journey through the time of the Crusades, undertaken to recover the Holy Land from Islamic rule. Through blood, battle, and faithful perseverance, we will watch as the pope evolves from the spiritual leader of an outlawed cult to one of the most powerful men on earth.

In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI's resignation shocks the world. In the 2,000-year history of the papacy, only four men have ever stepped down. And in times when more than one living man has laid claim to the thrown of St. Peter, chaos ensues. In this episode, we will examine the nature of the pope's power, his claim to the legacy of St. Peter, and the challenge of balancing spiritual and worldly interests as papal authority has grown. The resignation of a modern pope and peaceful transfer of power has shown the world what the position means today and how it has evolved in an ever-changing world.

The Renaissance marks the end of a fractured church and the emergence of the papacy as a chief patron of art, architecture, music and literature. But cultural advancement is accompanied by increasing corruption and ambition, as popes acquire temporal power and political influence. With Rodrigo Borgia on the throne of Peter, the papacy reaches a nadir, scandalizing people inside and outside the church and planting the seeds of reform.

Following the excess and scandal of the Renaissance era, the papacy looks to reclaim its sense of morality and leadership. Men like Martin Luther and Henry VIII begin to question the previously absolute power of the papacy and initiate a splintering of what was once a universal church. Rome responds by making deep reforms and launching spiritual movements. Ignatius Loyola founds the Jesuits, a new sect of Catholicism focused on universal education for all. Pope Francis comes to power as the first Jesuit pope in history.

In July, 2016, Pope Francis makes an emotional visit to Auschwitz, the former Nazi death camp where more than 1.1 million Jews were executed. In the dark shadows of the Holocaust, the Pope prays for the forgiveness of mankind, and immerses himself in the controversial legacy of his predecessor, Pope Pius XII. As the world debates sainthood for the late Pope Pius XII, many question his role during World War II. Some laud his measured diplomacy, while others condemn his inaction in the face of genocide. In this episode, we examine the man who bore witness to the Nazi party's rise and the actions of the Catholic Church during the most tumultuous time in modern history. From Vatican City's retreat to autonomy in 1929 through the Nazi invasion of Rome in 1943, we will watch as the pope navigates his place as a spiritual leader in an increasingly political world, and how the modern church continues to wrestle with the sins of its past.

Pope John Paul II is the world's first "famous" Pope. He comes into power during the height of the Cold War and serves for nearly three decades, the second longest term in papal history. Having come of age during the Nazi invasion of his native Poland, and keenly aware of the shortcomings of the Vatican during World War II, John Paul II immerses the religious office into global affairs. He works tirelessly alongside world leaders in an effort to destroy communism, and in the process, becomes an international icon for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. His reign represents the birth of the papacy as we know it today. JPII showed the world how a man of devout faith, and immeasurable power, can re-imagine an ancient institution in contemporary times, a tradition that continues with the reform of Pope Francis.