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This is a Christianity WI.

For years Jerusalem, Antioch (3rd largest city in the empire), Alexandria (2nd largest city in the empire), Carthage, and Rome were the centers of Christianity. As time went on, the focal points changed due to population shifts. For example, Constantinople became the 2nd most important city in Christianity when it was built up, Carthage declined in importance, Antioch and Alexandira eventually fell to the Muslims, and so the face of Christianity changed. Rome and Constantinople which persisted through the middle ages in effect became the focal points of the religion.

Now, what happens if the Arabs were able to take Italy some how in the 700s. Let's say France could not stop them and they take the Italian peninsula. Let's say the Muslims are able to dominate Rome for at least 5 to 7 centuries. This WI does not require that they are still in France or even Spain.

What are the effects on Roman Catholicism? If Christians take the city back, is Rome still the center for Catholcism, or has it moved on to another western city? Which one? Does Constantinople take over as the head? If so, does the Bishop of Constantinople have the same unilateral that the Popes did OTL?

What happens to the concept of Apostolic Succession in all of this?
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