pars ecclesiae

Italian history

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July 23, 2026

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The term pars ecclesiae translates to "party of the church" and became more common in Italy during the latter half of the 13th century. While often interpreted as support for the papacy, it also encompassed backing for local churches. This concept was intertwined with the political landscape of Italian communes, where alliances between bishops and communes grew, and imperial ideology waned. The term reflects the complex interplay of religious and political affiliations that shaped Italian urban life during this period.1

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Italy
The factors shaping political factions
The term pars ecclesiae (“party of the church”), which became more common in the second half of the 13th century, has generally been viewed as a reference to support for the papacy, but it also referred to support for local churches. Both meanings of the term are…
Read More
The term pars ecclesiae (“party of the church”), which became more common in the second half of the 13th century, has generally been viewed as a reference to support for the papacy, but it also referred to support for local churches. Both meanings of the term are…
Read More