Make it so the Roman Catholic Church is associated with nationalities, similar to the Orthodox Church. For instance, an Italian Catholic Church, Polish Catholic Church, Spanish Catholic Church, etc. Church membership becomes even more related to national identity than IOTL. However, the Vatican must continue to exist, and continue to at least nominally appoint each national church's patriarch and issue papal encyclicals, pronouncements, etc.
How would such an arrangement affect history, especially if and when Europeans begin settling and colonizing other continents? Would Spanish and French colonialists be willing to convert natives into their "national" churches? Or would they petition the Pope to form new churches to better control the formerly-heathen natives?
How would such an arrangement affect history, especially if and when Europeans begin settling and colonizing other continents? Would Spanish and French colonialists be willing to convert natives into their "national" churches? Or would they petition the Pope to form new churches to better control the formerly-heathen natives?
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