Pope John XV: Politics, Power, and the First Papal Canonization
Pope John XV: Politics, Power, and the First Papal Canonization Pope John XV ruled the Catholic Church from 985 to 996, during one of the
6 August 2026
The Medieval Papacy
For much of the Middle Ages, the pope was not only the spiritual head of Western Christendom, but one of the most powerful political figures in Europe. Kings knelt, emperors argued, armies marched and entire nations trembled at decisions made in Rome or, at times, far from it.
The Medieval Papacy explores the lives, reigns and legacies of the popes who shaped medieval history. From reformers who challenged emperors, to scandal-ridden figures whose excesses shocked even their contemporaries, this series examines how faith and power collided on the Throne of St. Peter.
