European history, the Middle Ages, or medieval period, lasted from the 5th to the 15th century (Middle Ages). During that time period, the Catholic Church was the largest and most important part of people's lives. It influenced all parts of European society, from the poorest to the most powerful including the king. This influence was caused by the fact that people looked to their priests for religious guidance, giving them free will over almost every aspect of their lives. The Church was run by a Pope, monks, nuns and priests. The Pope was the head of the Catholic Church. The Pope was considered the representative of God and the population admired him on how to live and pray. It was the Pope's choice to decide what the Church would teach. Pope Benedict forced all monks and nuns to take three vows in order to be able to exercise them in the Church. Vow of poverty, renunciation of all worldly goods; a vow of chastity to remain single; vow of obedience to promise to obey the church and the rules of the monastery (Benedictine Rules). Nuns were women who prayed, weaved, practiced teaching, and wrote books, while monks dedicated most of their lives to the discipline of prayer. In some cases the church was more powerful than the king, as the church had the power to excommunicate or exclude believers from the fellowship and public privileges and prayers of the church (Dictionary.com). For example, Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, was excommunicated from the church by Pope Gregory VII. Harold II, King of England, was also excommunicated by Pope Alexander II (Biography.com). This gave the Pope enormous influence over the monarchies, and anyone who turned against him would be excommunicated from the church and would be believed to go to... middle of paper... taught, and only people of more sound faith frequent religious services still take place regularly. According to one survey, only forty percent of Americans attend church, compared to ninety-nine percent of people who did so in the Middle Ages (Startling Facts). The positive note is that people who attend church do so for their faith. , as opposed to when they were made to fear God by the medieval clergy. Going to church is now an expression of love for God, strengthens spiritual strength and gives people direction in their lives where they would otherwise be lost. What made the biggest difference between religions in the Middle Ages and today is people's dependence on their clergy. Whereas before people needed priests and Popes to interpret God's word for them, now people can read the Bible for themselves, come to their own conclusions, and learn.