Final answer:
The Curia is the body of officials who assist the Pope in governing the universal Church, providing administrative support much like a government's cabinet. Over time, the position of the archbishop of Rome evolved into the Pope, who had both political and spiritual influence, with crucial periods such as the Western Schism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The body of officials who assist the Pope in governing the universal Church is known as the Curia. The Curia comprises various congregations, councils, and commissions that handle the different aspects of church governance and administration, much like a government's cabinet would. It functions alongside the Pope, providing support in managing the extensive duties related to leading the Church.
Historically, bishops played significant roles in Roman governance, as they participated in ecumenical councils and often held sway in local politics. The archbishop of Rome eventually gained prominence and authority over time, known today as the Pope. Furthermore, the papacy underwent various periods, including the appointment of three simultaneous Popes during the 1378 schism, marking the period called the Western Schism, which underscored numerous internal struggles within the Catholic Church.
In addition to political and spiritual duties, the Popes were instrumental in shaping the city of Rome, notably with the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica in the 1400s to enhance the city's reputation as the capital of Christendom. The papacy's claims to temporal and spiritual power sometimes led to bitter conflicts, such as the investiture controversy, which strengthened papal authority over church officials' appointments against secular rulers' wishes.