1. Kings were weak but faith was strong.

2. With the fall of Rome and the collapse of a central government, the Roman Catholic Church provided comfort and unity in difficult times.

3. Yes, the Roman Catholic Church was the single most powerful institution in Medieval times.

4. The vast majority of Western Europeans were Roman Catholics and the Roman Catholic Church was the only Christian church in Western Europe.

5. Medieval men and women were very religious. They believed that salvation could only be achieved through the Roman Catholic Church.

6. The Pope was the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. According to Catholics, he was God’s representative on earth.

7. The Pope had the power to excommunicate any Catholic. Yes, he had the power to deny a Catholic participation in the sacraments.

8. Medieval Catholics believed strongly in their faith. They believed that salvation or Heaven could only be attained through the Church.

9. The Medieval Church was also very wealthy since Catholics had to pay tithes or church taxes.

10. In addition, lords often gave land and other assets to the Church to atone for their sins.

11. Yes, with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and its central government, the Roman Catholic Church was the single most powerful institution.

12. It was the largest landowner in the Medieval period. It was very wealthy and powerful. And it united people with a common faith.