papalism

Theory of government of the Christian church, based on the belief that the pope had received from Christ the duty and right to rule the church as a monarch. This was worked out in the 15th century on behalf of Pope Eugenius IV in response to the challenge of conciliarism, which originated at the Council of Basel and advocated the supremacy of general councils.

Papalism, constructed with reference not only to canon law but also to Aristotelianism, was presented in treatises and in diplomatic encounters by papal servants like Antonio de' Roselli, Juan de Torquemada, and Pietro Del Monte.