... diminished. The title, Vicar of St. Peter fell out of use and was replaced by another that suggested a higher authority and more extensive field of activity, Vicar of Christ. Popes ceased to be concerned exclusively with the narrow affairs of the diocese of Rome and began to exercise that universal jurisdiction throughout Christendom claimed by the tradition of the Roman Church. The whole of medieval Europe was in receipt of the decrees, mandates and verdicts issuing forth in prolific quantities from the Church of Rome. Previously the papacy had long been the tool of political faction; the period 801-1049 is regarded as the era of caesaropapism as the position became the instrument of local Italian factions. During this period the affairs of the church received little direction from Rome. Monasteries and bishoprics were founded, bishops and abbots were appointed by lay rulers without hindrance or objection. The majority of ...

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