The largest episode on the smallest country. It's the city-state home of the Catholic Church, a neighborhood of Rome, home to some of the greatest art in the western world.

In the early 16th century, the Catholic Church began to turn Rome into a capital glorious enough to serve as the capital of Christendom, and in the process, the popes drove Christendom apart. And Michelangelo was there the whole way.

Bry Rayburn from the Pontifacts podcast joins us to talk about some of the most epic popes in history, from Alexander VI to Paul IV: the good, the bad, and the ugly. We talk about Michelangelo, the role of the papal patrons, Martin Luther, the Swiss Guard, and so much more!

Plus a mysterious pasta recipe from the Vatican cookbook!

Sources:

Beck, James H. Three Worlds of Michelangelo Buonarroti, Michelangelo. Michelangelo's Notebooks: The Poetry, Letters, and Art of the Great MasterCahill, Thomas. Heretics and Heroes: How Renaissance Artists and Reformation Priests Created Our WorldGarwood, Duncan. Lonely Planet RomeGraham-Dixon, Andrew. Michelangelo and the Sistine ChapelPhillips, Charles. The Illustrated History of the Popes: An Authoritative Guide to the Lives and Works of the Popes of the Catholic Church, with 450 Images Rick Steves Rome 2020Rome, Insights Guides Scotti, R.A. Basilica: The Splendor and the Scandal: Building St. Peter'sThe Pontifical Swiss Guard. The Vatican Cookbook: Presented by the Pontifical Swiss Guard: 500 Years of Classic Recipes, Papal Tributes, & Exclusive ImagesWallace, William E. Michelangelo: The Artist, the Man and His Times