Catholic Church (Earth-616)

Catholic Church
Name	Catholic Church
Aliases	Roman Catholic Church
Affiliation and Identity
Identity	Public
Origin and Status
Status	Active
Reality	Earth-616
Base of Operations	Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Creators and Appearances
First	Unknown
First	Unknown

History

Overview

The Catholic Church is the largest Christian church, with over a billion followes worldwide. As one of the oldest religious institutions on Earth, it has played a prominent role in the history of Western Civilization. The church is lead by the Bishop of Rome better known as the known as the "Pope". The church is based in Vatican City an independent nation located in Rome, Italy.

Crusades

From the 11th and 16th centuries, the Catholic Church began military campaigns with aim of capturing Jerusalem from Islamic rule. During this time the Knights Templar becoming one of the wealthiest and most powerful of the Christian military orders in Europe. They were officially endorsed by the Catholic Church. The Knights wore distinctive white mantles with a red cross. They were one of the many groups to take part in the invasion of the holy lands in the middle east. During the Crusades the Knights Templar attempted and invasion of the African nation of Wakanda. They were unable to defeat the tiny african nation as they defeated the European invaders with ease.

Inquisition

The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition was started by the Catholic Church to establish dominance across it's territories persecuting those of others faiths.A powerful sorceror by the name of Diablo gained power in Spain during this time, he used the Philosopher's Stone to thwart his enemies. Despite all his power, the Inquisition were many and he was soon forced to flee Spain, apparently losing the Philosopher's Stone in the process.The Skrulls were active was during the Inquisition..

15th-16th Century

From the 15th to 16th Century the church was heavily influenced by the Borgia Family who became prominent in ecclesiastical and political affairs. The family producing two popes; Pope Callixtus III, and Pope Alexander VI.One of the worst of the family was Lucrezia Borgia.

18th Century

In 1774, religious scholar; Alessandro Di Cagliostro was searching for the secret of immortality. Cagliostro learned the location of the 'Book of Sins', the Darkhold. The Lord of Vampires, Dracula, was then the latest owner. Cagliostro managed to steal the book from the gypsy who the had been sent to the Vatican by Dracula, and earned the vampire's enmity. From the Darkhold, Cagliostro learned the secrets that would enable him to make an elixir of immortality, but needed exotic components unavailable to him.

In 1789, the Vatican ordered the arrest of Alessandro Di Cagliostro on the grounds that Freemasonry was a heresy, and he was imprisoned in the Castle of San Leo near Montefeltro. He was reputed to have died in 1795 in a cell in Italy's papal states, but in reality Cagliostro had at some point left to continue his unending quest for occult power.

20th Century

The Vatican City became an independent nation from Italy and decided to remain a neutral in all international relations.

World War II

The Vatican City remained neutral during World War II.

Modern Era

Isaiah Curwen was once a member of the Vatican and was a potential successor to the Pope. However, he was overlooked due to his youth and fanaticism. He then studied the black arts and was determined to become God's weapon and fight against the followers of Satan. While studying to be "the Silver Dagger," he traveled the world slaughtering those he viewed as his opponents. He then sought out The Ancient One, but foudn Dr. Strange inseatd.

After the possession and death of Father Ramon Joquez by the spirit of the evil monk Aelfric the suspicions of Monsignor Montesi arose. Using the Vatican library he was able to uncover the Montesi formula his family had been seeking for centuries. He was killed by Dracula but before he died Montesi told Dracula that he mailed the formula to Dracula's nemesis Quincy Harker.

The Catholic Church supported Klaw's invasion of Wakanda, sending their mercenary the Augustine du Lac the Black Knight. He wielded the Ebony Blade, which was found by the Vatican, and riding a flying horse named Aragorn.

During the Skrull Invasion of Earth a Skrull infiltrated the Catholic Church and took the form of Pope Benedict XVI.

See Also

• 51 appearance(s) of Catholic Church (Earth-616)
• 5 minor appearance(s) of Catholic Church (Earth-616)
• 20 mention(s) of Catholic Church (Earth-616)
• 2 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Catholic Church (Earth-616)
• 1 image(s) of Catholic Church (Earth-616)
• 1 quotation(s) by or about Catholic Church (Earth-616)
• 66 member(s) of Catholic Church (Earth-616)