Constantine and his successors attempted to fit the Church into their political program. Church leaders responded by articulating the first limitations on a secular ruler's authority, arguing that religious authority must be separate from State authority. For most of Late Antiquity, the popesthe successors to Saint Peter as bishop of Romehad limited influence, but this began to change as eastern patriarchs increasingly looked to the Pope to resolve disagreements.
constantine and his successors attempted to fit the church into their political program church leaders responded by articulating the first limitations on a secular ruler's authority arguing that religious authority must be separate from state authority for most of late antiquity the popesthe successors to saint peter as bishop of romehad limited influence but this began to change as eastern patriarchs increasingly looked to the pope to resolve disagreements