1590s: The Roman Catholic Church operates under the ordinates established at the Council of Trent. It is one of the most influential bodies in Europe and regains much of the power that it was in danger of losing during the Protestant Reformation.

1930s: Still working under essentially the same theological bases established at the Council of Trent, the Catholic Church is a powerful international organization, but it has much less direct political influence than it did in the sixteenth century.

Today: The Catholic Church continues to wield considerable influence across the globe and finds a growing membership in third-world countries.

1590s: Rome is again a prosperous and cosmopolitan city, having recovered from its sacking by Emperor Charles V in 1527.

1930s: Benito Mussolini's fascist government is centered in Rome, and he drastically rebuilds the city, damaging much of its architectural heritage.

Today: Still the capitol...