Third Lateran Council

The Third Lateran Council, held in 1179 in Rome, was an important meeting of the Catholic Church's leaders, called by Pope Alexander III. Its main goals were to address church reforms, improve clerical standards, and define the requirements for electing a pope to prevent disputes. It also established rules against usury (charging excessive interest) and affirmed the importance of church authority. This council played a crucial role in shaping the governance of the Church and promoting moral standards among clergy, ultimately influencing the direction of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages.