WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Pope. The headquarters of the Western Church was Rome. For most of the medieval period, this was the chief residence of the Pope, who was regarded as the successor of St Peter.

Detailed explanation-2: -The leader of the Catholic Church was the pope. Right below the pope were powerful men called cardinals. Next were bishops and abbots.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Church was one of the main distributors of charity during the medieval period and gave out alms – such as money or food – to the poor and needy. Hospitals, run by religious orders, cared for the sick and poor, and gave shelter to travellers. As to where the money came from, the Church possessed endowments.

Detailed explanation-4: -During the thousand years of the Middle Ages, from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance, the papacy matured and established itself as the preeminent authority over the church.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Role of Priests in the Middle Ages They presided over baptisms and weddings and usually were the sole source of education. The priest was in charge of ensuring religious occasions and events were observed and would hold the responsibility to perform the final rites to the dying.

Detailed explanation-6: -Whereas churches today are primarily religious institutions, the Catholic Church of the Middle Ages held tremendous political power. In some cases, Church authorities (notably the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church) held more power than kings or queens. The Church had the power to tax, and its laws had to be obeyed.