How did Pope Innocent III reform the Roman Curia?

Pope Innocent III reformed the Roman Curia by reorganizing the papal judicial system and strengthening the hierarchical structure of the church. His efforts were central to his broader vision of establishing a papal monarchy, which involved sweeping away the older, decentralized institutions that had characterized the church during the early Middle Ages.1

Key aspects of his reforms included:

• Judicial Oversight: Innocent possessed significant skill in legal affairs and participated personally in some of the cases accepted by the papal court on appeal.1
• Centralization of Authority: He mandated the subordination of bishops to the pope, insisting that only the papacy could approve episcopal resignations, depositions, and translations.1
• Administrative Record-Keeping: His curia maintained specialized registers, such as the Super negotio Romani imperii, to preserve records of critical political and legal business.1

These administrative changes were part of a larger effort to implement his doctrine of papal power, ensuring that the church functioned under a more unified and authoritative central governance.21