Richard Southern provides a useful overview of the transition in his
Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages; his discussion
most likely includes reference to more in-depth studies. As I
understand it, the term vicar of Christ initially was used mainly
by/of civil authorities like emperors and kings, whereas the papacy
preferred vicar of Peter for their own unique title, up until about
the 12th century. As papal power grew, especially in the secular
realm, popes opted for vicar of Christ to reflect their claims of a
more universal authority and pronounced it as solely their own. I
think it was Innocent III who insisted that though the pope was
Peter's successor, he was no man's vicar, except Christ's alone.
Maeve
>
>I seem to recall learning that early in the history of the church the
>bishop of Rome was also known as the "Vicar of Peter" but that at some
>point this appellation was changed to "Vicar of Christ". Can anybody
>tell me, if that is so, when and under what conditions this occurred?
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