Notions of ‘Christendom’ often miss the mark – medieval Europe’s ideas about faith and power were not so simple

Notions of ‘Christendom’ often miss the mark – medieval Europe’s ideas about faith and power were not so simple

A painting in Rome's San Silvestro Chapel depicts Pope Sylvester I and Constantine the Great. Wikimedia CommonsDuring the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 5, 2026, Paula White-Cain, senior adviser to the White House Office of Faith, introduced President Donald Trump as “the greatest champion of faith that we have ever had in the executive branch.” Taking the podium after her, Trump declared, “I’ve done more for religion than any other president…