In Renaissance Rome the papacy held most of the power. By saying that they divine authority they were able to bring about the resurrection of Rome by acting as patrons to artists who help bring Rome back to glory. Before the papacy returned to Rome, the population was low due to the fact that they weren't centers for trade, transportation, banking ect. With the return of the church to Rome the city grew thrived. They acted as patrons of artwork and attracted some of the best artists at the time.
Julius II was one of the most prominent popes in the 16th century. The pope was considered to be saint as he was praised for improving the city through building projects for water supply, roads, etc. He also was patron to Palazzo Venezia and the church of San Marco. Yet while being praised as a saint others saw his corruption. Partridge brings up Eramus who describes pope Julius II as anything, but a saint. He was "...the embodiment of impious and brazen worldliness (Partridge 12). Much of the papacy was corrupt in that they brought their own family members into power, and they acquired money by selling indulgences. However with the Protestants as a growing threat, the church through commissions such as The Council of Trent helped correct the corruption in the church and "the Index"..."suppressed Protestant ideas by banning heretical books" (Partridge 16).
While the papacy were often corrupt, it was them who ultimately who brought Rome back after being in ruins.
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