Pope: The Most Powerful Man In History

The modern pope is the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, 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.

In this episode, we will examine the nature of the pope's power, his claim to the legacy of St. Peter, and the challenge of balancing spiritual and worldly interests as papal authority has grown. The resignation of a modern pope and peaceful transfer of power has shown the world what the position means today and how it has evolved in an ever-changing world.

With Rodrigo Borgia on the throne of Peter, the papacy reaches a nadir, scandalizing people inside and outside the church and planting the seeds of reform.

Following the excess and scandal of the Renaissance era, the papacy looks to reclaim its sense of morality and leadership. Men like Martin Luther and Henry VIII begin to question the previously absolute power of the papacy and initiate a splintering of what was once a universal church.

In July, 2016, Pope Francis makes an emotional visit to Auschwitz, the former Nazi death camp where more than 1.1 million Jews were executed. In the dark shadows 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. He comes into power during the height of the Cold War and serves for nearly three decades, the second longest term in papal history.