Pimps, Remorse and Blood
Dante's Divine Comedy and the critique of the Papacy
Dante encounters seven popes in the Divine Comedy, five in hell, one in purgatory and one in paradise - that last being Saint Peter. His condemnation of individual popes and, I think, the papacy is extraordinarily powerful, unrestrained and discomforting to relate.
But was it all about revenge? Did he fall for the politics too? Or was his message one of renewal, revival and reunion with God?
I’ve posted a new talk at my YouTube drawing on reflections developed in my book, Dante’s Divine Comedy: A Guide for the Spiritual Journey.
Dante was concerned about salvation, the role of women and friars, the love of the gospel, and the fate of Christianity. His critique presages the Reformation. His vision matters today.
The talk begins with the context of Dante's critique, before considering the case of Celestine V and holiness: the pope who resigned. We come next to Anastasius II and Dante’s referencing Aristotle as an authority.
Next is the great set piece between Dante and the late medieval papacy, focused on the sin of Simony, the meeting with Nicholas III and the condemnation of Boniface VIII.
This section includes a reflection on Pope Francis and Saint Luke's icon of the Virgin and Child, as well as the conversion of Constantine and ecclesiastical power.
In purgatory, Dante meets Adrian V, a pope of remorse, as well as the beguines and the whore of Babylon.
Then, in the paradise, he encounters Saint Peter, whose judgement is shockingly strong, as are Beatrice's last words condemning Clement V. So what are Dante's political and ecclesiastical conclusions? I think he was pointing to a Christianity beyond Christianity with resonances to this day.
