In 1378, the Catholic church saw a great divide that lasted until 1417. Instead of a debate over the Bible or God in general, the split was more based on power. For a number of years, the Pope lived in Avignon, France. When the next Pope moved back to Rome, there was a huge worryContinue reading “Fun Fact: When the Catholic Church Had Two Popes”
Tag Archives: Catholic
Fun Fact: The Tragedy of Dirk Willems
Dirk Willems was a Dutch anabaptist in the 16th century. He was imprisoned by the Catholic church but he escaped his confinement by running on an icy pond. One of the prison guards chased after him, and he fell in the frozen water. Willems turned back to save him, but he was recaptured because ofContinue reading “Fun Fact: The Tragedy of Dirk Willems”
Fun Fact: Patron Saint of Comedians
Saint Lawerence is a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, who was apparently a martyr during the days of the Roman Emperor Valerian. He had made the Roman leadership so angry that they apparently roasted him until his demise. After much agony, Saint Lawrence allegedly told the Romans to flip him over as he wasContinue reading “Fun Fact: Patron Saint of Comedians”
Fun Fact: When Coffee Was Banned By the Pope
A popular story about coffee (which may or may not be 100% true) is that the Catholic Church had opposed coffee as the “devil’s drink.” Coffee came from lands with a Muslim-majority and was quite popular there as well, which caused some Catholics to believe it was an “invention of Satan.” Pope Clement VIII apparentlyContinue reading “Fun Fact: When Coffee Was Banned By the Pope”
Fun Fact: Swiss Guards
Switzerland had outlawed all foreign military service work in the 19th century, with the exception of the Swiss Guard that protects the Pope.
