Dante encounters seven popes in the Divine Comedy, five in hell, one in purgatory and one in paradise - that last being Saint Peter. His condemnation of individual popes and, I think, the papacy is extraordinarily strong and discomforting to relate.

But was it all revenge? Did he fall for the politics too? Or was his message one of renewal, revival and reunion with God?

Dante was concerned about salvation, the role of women and friars, the love of the gospel, and the fate of Christianity. His critique presages the Reformation. His vision matters today.

For more on Mark's guide to the Divine Comedy see - https://www.markvernon.com/dantes-divine-comedy

0:00 The context of Dante's critique
6:22 Celestine V and holiness: the resigning pope
9:04 Anastasius II, Aristotle and authority
10:48 Simony: the curse and crime of the church - Nicholas III & Boniface VIII
16:32 Pope Francis and Luke's icon of the Virgin and Child
18:33 The conversion of Constantine and ecclesiastical power
19:54 Dante's mothers - the church or the pagan Virgil?
21:12 Adrian V in purgatory
24:20 The beguines as guides and the whore of Babylon
28:26 Saint Peter's condemnation in paradise
30:04 Beatrice's last words condemning Clement V
32:24 Dante's political conclusions
36:36 Dante's ecclesiastical conclusions
39:14 A Christianity beyond Christianity