Summarize this: By the year 1500, the Roman Catholic Church had long been a powerful institution. Most Europeans practiced the Catholic faith. Kings and queens also belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. They recognized the pope’s religious power as separate from their own political power. Some popes thought they should have more power than secular leaders. This led to conflicts within the Church and with different countries’ rulers. Regardless of these power struggles, Catholicism was the religion of most European people. Between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, Roman Catholic Church leaders faced a number of challenges. These challenges usually had an indirect effect on average European Catholics. Pope Boniface VIII tried to stop war between France and England. On the other hand, Boniface VIII also fought to stop rulers from taxing Church leaders. He ultimately decreed that the pope had power over all other rulers. This announcement angered the king of France so much that he fought back against the pope. In the aftermath, the Roman Catholic Church leadership experienced a century of upheaval. For most of the fourteenth century, the pope relocated from Rome to Avignon, France. Then, from 1378 to 1417, after the pope returned to Rome, the Western Schism took place. In this time, there were two (or more) rival popes who each claimed leadership of the Roman Catholic Church. Not only was the Roman Catholic Church leadership in disarray, but this experience led many to question the Church further. Nonetheless, the Roman Catholic Church influenced Europeans’ lives to a large degree. Faithful Catholics continued to attend Mass and have their children baptized. They celebrated holy days and other feast days to mark the passage of time. They gave a tithe to the church from their income. Most people also expected to participate in sacraments, such as marriage or confession. Many continued to join the Church as clergy, such as priests, monks, or nuns. When they approach the end of their lives, they expected that a priest would provide the last rites, the final sacrament before death.
The Roman Catholic Church was a powerful institution in Europe by 1500, with most Europeans practicing the Catholic faith. Kings and queens recognized the pope's religious power separate from their political power, leading to conflicts within the Church and with rulers. Pope Boniface VIII tried to stop war and prevent taxation of Church leaders, but this angered the king of France and led to a century of upheaval for the Church. The pope relocated to Avignon, France, and later a period of rival popes claiming leadership occurred. Despite these challenges, the Church still had a significant influence on Europeans' lives. They attended Mass, celebrated holy days, gave tithe from their income, and participated in sacraments. Many also joined the Church as clergy and expected last rites from a priest before death.
