Politics, reforms, and lay movements shaped Catholicism’s modern era 

The First Vatican Council wrestled with Modernism 

 Papal centralization and the modernist crisis

Vatican II’s call to action for the global Catholic Church

How popes interpreted Vatican II and helped reimagine the church 

A helpful introduction to terms and ideas as you begin the Vatican II story

Readers respond to Christian History

Experiencing Catholicism through grandmother

Revolutionary Europe and the church

Excerpts from Vatican I’s most important documents 

Papal responses to fascism shaped the Catholic world

How heated debate shaped Vatican II documents and their interpretation

Significant moments before, during, and after the historic council

Excerpts from some of the most influential documents of Vatican II 

Vatican II and a new spirit of ecumenism

Vatican II and charismatic renewal 

Vatican II’s lasting effect on Catholic practice

Ordinary and extraordinary forms

How Vatican II influenced one Protestant denomination

Some Catholic leaders who influenced Vatican II

impressions of Vatican II

Questions for self-study or guided discussion

Learn more about the Second Vatican Council with these resources written and recommended by our authors and editors.