I frati e le profezie

Starting in the mid-12th century, partly due to the new political and ecclesiastical landscape marked by difficult relations between the two highest powers of the societas christiana, a climate of uncertainty and concern about the future arose, especially among the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The writings of Joachim of Fiore, or those attributed to him, seemed to offer adequate answers to the difficult situation. The friars' elaboration of these texts aimed first and foremost to demonstrate that with the advent of the Friars Preachers and Friars Minor, the prophecy concerning the viri spirituales foretold by Joachim had been fulfilled. The writings attributed to Joachim, but actually developed within the mendicant circle, provided the theological foundation for justifying the role assumed by the mendicants in the service of the papacy.