"To speak truth," as wrote the Patriarch Photius to Pope Nicholas, "is the greatest act of charity." In this classic scholarly work, Father Vladimir offers a profound exploration of the historical evolution, spiritual significance, and political influences of the Papal Institution. Guettee provides readers with a comprehensive look at the papal lineage, doctrinal developments, and the enduringly subversive impact that the erstwhile Papal See has had on the global stage. This insightful work navigates the complex interplay between faith and authority, offering readers a captivating and revelatory journey through the centuries of papal history which illumines the causes of its drastic contemporary decline.