The Donation of Pippin (754 AD) and the Rise of the Papal States

The Donation of Pippin (754 AD) and the Rise of the Papal States

The Donation of Pippin in 754 AD was a very important event. It changed the Pope from just a spiritual leader into a political ruler with his own land in Italy. This change was a major turning point in church history. It ended Rome’s need for the Byzantine Empire and started a long friendship with the Frankish kingdom.

Background and Events Leading to the Donation

• By the middle of the 700s, the aggressive Lombard kingdom in northern Italy was threatening Rome and the Pope's lands.
• The Byzantine Empire was weak and too far away to help protect them from the Lombards.
• Pope Stephen II travelled to France in 754 to ask the Frankish king, Pippin (Pepin) the Short, for help.
• In exchange for military help, the Pope made Pippin and his sons the official kings of the Franks, confirming their power.
• Pippin invaded Italy, defeated the Lombard king Aistulf, and took back key lands, including Ravenna.
• Instead of giving these lands back to the Byzantine Emperor, Pippin gave them directly to the Pope.
• This act created the Papal States (also called the “Republic of St. Peter”). This was a large area in central Italy where the Pope ruled like a king with his own government, army, and administration.

Effects on the Pope’s Political Status

• Became a Political Ruler: The Papal States turned the Pope into a ruler with real political power. He now controlled land, taxes, dealings with other countries, and military forces.
• Independence from Byzantium: The donation ended the Pope's political reliance on the Byzantine emperor. He no longer needed their protection.
• Alliance with the Franks: It created a strong partnership between the Pope and the Frankish kings. This shifted the Pope's focus toward the West.
• Involved in Power Politics: Popes now had to manage a kingdom. This led to government work, collecting taxes, and fighting wars to defend their land.
• Long-Term Legacy: The Papal States lasted until 1870, when they became part of Italy. Pope Pius IX refused to accept this and called himself a "prisoner of the Vatican". In 1929, a treaty solved this by creating the tiny, independent State of Vatican City.

How Temporal Power Led to Church Scandals

• Financial Corruption: Running the Papal States cost a huge amount of money. This led to high taxes, selling church jobs (simony), and selling forgiveness for sins (indulgences).
• Neglect of Spiritual Duties: Popes became too focused on government work. They often prioritised politics over theology and caring for people's souls.

1. Nick R. Needham, 2,000 Years of Christ’s Power Vol. 2: The Middle Ages
2. Kenneth Scott Latourette, A History of Christianity, pp.
3. Bruce Shelley, Church History in Plain Language
4. Tim Dowley, A Lion Handbook: The History of Christianity,