Final answer:
The Catholic Church accumulated wealth through tithes, rents from its extensive land holdings, and because its properties were often tax-exempt. It had significant influence both financially and politically, using its power to maintain and grow its resources over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The wealth of the Catholic Church historically accrued through several means, particularly during the Middle Ages and leading up to the Renaissance. While individual Catholics may have been poor, the Church itself was able to gain substantial wealth. One key source of income for the Church was tithes, which were essentially taxes consisting of 10 percent of annual earnings that faithful followers were expected to pay.
Additionally, the Church owned vast tracts of land and collected rent from these properties. Being the sole church in Europe at the time, and with its lands often being tax-exempt, the Church's resources swelled. The feudal system also played a role, with the Church holding considerable land and wealth comparable to that of secular lords, yet without the obligation to pay taxes to monarchs. Instead, through rents and tithes, it was able to further increase its wealth. Within the social structure of the times, the Church, much like the nobility, was exempt from taxes leading to a disproportionate tax burden falling on the peasantry and the common folk.
The Church's influence extended to the political realm as well, often working closely with the kings and lords of various regions. Key events such as the Crusades provided the Church with opportunities to control more land and resources. Furthermore, with the Church having dominion over scholasticism and literacy, it consolidated power by controlling the dissemination of knowledge and maintaining traditional social structures.