The plenitudo potestatis Papae according to Egidio Romano / La plenitudo potestatis Papae según Egidio Romano

• Main Author: Mario Di Giacomo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Étienne Gilson Society 2017-09-01
• Series: Studia Gilsoniana
• Subjects: theocracy; Pope’s plenitude of power; second causes; spiritual power; temporal power; state of exception
• Online Access: http://gilsonsociety.com/files/405-424-DiGiacomo.pdf

This article analyzes the relationship, according to Aegidius Romanus, between spiritual power and temporal power. From the point of view of the Augustinian author, the autonomy of the world or that of second causes, following St. Thomas Aquinas, must be respected, so that the motions of nature are not usually hampered by any extraordinary intervention. However, this intervention will always be possible in the form of a miracle and according to a special law. Similarly, temporal power normally follows its own goals, without interventions ab extra, nevertheless, the Pope’s plenitude of power can suspend, if necessary (in casu), the power of the secular princes.