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How did the Black Death affect the authority of the Roman Catholic Church?

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Medieval illustration of Brotherhood of the Cross flagellants in robes and pointed hats walking in procession, some carrying a crucifix and banners, during the Black Death. — Black Death Flagellants in the Netherlands scourging themselves in atonement, believing that the Black Death is a punishment from God for their sins, 1349.

The Black Death significantly impacted the Roman Catholic Church by diminishing its absolute monopoly over the salvation of souls. As the pandemic ravaged Europe, the widespread fear of death and the inability of traditional ecclesiastical structures to halt the plague led many individuals to turn toward mysticism and other personal expressions of faith.1

Additionally, the church faced criticism for its response to the crisis. In the period following the 14th-century plagues, the church was often perceived as exploiting the fears of the populace by offering salvation for sale, which contributed to growing anticlerical sentiment. While the majority of the faithful remained loyal to the church as the primary vehicle for their eternal salvation, these shifts in religious practice and the rise of critical theological voices marked a period of significant unrest and questioning of ecclesiastical authority.21