Final answer:
The papacy of Boniface VIII was characterized by conflict with Philip IV of France, which led to the weakening of papal authority and the papacy's move to Avignon. This period reflected the rise of secular monarchial power and challenges to the papal supremacy in Christendom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The papacy of Boniface VIII was marked by significant conflict with secular authorities, particularly with King Philip IV of France. The assertion of papal supremacy by Boniface VIII was met with resistance by Philip IV, who sought to tax the clergy without papal consent. In 1303, Philip's forces even attempted to kidnap the pope, which led to the serious weakening of the papal power. Despite maintaining political autonomy and independence, the relocation of the papacy to Avignon, France after Boniface's tenure, often under the influence of French monarchs, caused a decline in the institution's spiritual prestige and left the papal authority weakened.
So when reflecting on how the period of the Avignon papacy affected the church in western Europe, a. It represented the growing power of secular monarchs and a weakening of papal authority. is the correct answer to the student's inquiry. Despite the turmoil, and unlike in France, the roman Church remained supreme over all other Christian authorities, maintaining the unifying language of Latin and its vast knowledge. The pope's decision over theological and temporal matters still held great weight, though this period heralded the beginning of internal power struggles and challenges to papal authority that would culminate in the 15th and 16th centuries.