Roman Catholics were the largest branch of Christianity and were led by the Pope. Early Christians were persecuted under the Roman Empire. The clergy played an important role in guiding the leadership and policies of the Roman Empire. The Church served as a unifying factor between the people and the politicians. However, in the Middle Ages, the Church succeeded the Roman Empire and assumed leadership. The Church has influenced politics and culture. The Church took over the country through a Pope who was the head of the Catholic Church at the time. The Church assumed political functions as well as religious functions. The Church was responsible for both the laws of Almighty God and the laws of the land. The Catholic Church has made political progress by taking on the role of promoting education and development. The Church was responsible for political advice when kings sought their wise counsel. The Church and religious leaders played an important role in ensuring peaceful existence in empires ruled by different political leaders. In 452, the Church played a role in European politics when religious leaders met with Attila the Hun and advised him to change his decision to invade Italy. The Pope played an important advisory role in shaping the policies of ancient civilizations (Backman, p.