Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History

The modern pope wields international influence as the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, and to understand how one man and one institution could rise to such heights, we must go back 2,000 years to the remarkable origins of the Catholic Church.

In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI resigns and shocks the world. The resignation of a modern pope and the 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 increased corruption as popes acquire political influence.

Following the excess and scandal of the Renaissance era, the papacy looks to reclaim its sense of morality and leadership, and men like Martin Luther and Henry VIII begin to question the absolute power of the papacy and initiate a splintering.

In 2016, Pope Francis makes an emotional visit to Auschwitz, the former Nazi death camp. In the shadow of the Holocaust, the Pope prays for the forgiveness of mankind and immerses himself in the controversial legacy of his predecessor, Pope Pius XII.

Pope John Paul II is the world's first "famous" Pope, and coming into power during the height of the Cold War, he works tirelessly alongside world leaders to destroy communism and becomes an international icon for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

The modern pope is the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Catholics and the head of an independent nation. 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.

The modern pope is the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Catholics and the head of an independent nation. 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.