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A series of six engravings depicting the ordination of Roman Catholic subdeacons (top left), deacons (top right), and priests (middle left). The priestly ordination includes the bishop laying hands on the new priest (middle right), the bestowal of the power to consecrate (bottom left), and sharing in Communion (bottom right).

A series of six engravings depicting the ordination of Roman Catholic subdeacons (top left), deacons (top right), and priests (middle left). The priestly ordination includes the bishop laying hands on the new priest (middle right), the bestowal of the power to consecrate (bottom left), and sharing in Communion (bottom right).

An engraving of the eastern facade of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. In this depiction there are two towers, however the actual building only has a single tower.

An engraving of the eastern facade of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. In this depiction there are two towers, however the actual building only has a single tower.

An engraving depicting the Altar of Gregory, built as dictated by a vision of Mary to contain pieces of Jesus' cradle as relics, as it originally looked according to older accounts.

An engraving depicting the Altar of Gregory, built as dictated by a vision of Mary to contain pieces of Jesus' cradle as relics, as it originally looked according to older accounts.

An engraved ornamental tailpiece appearing at the end of the fourth part of the section on Catholics. The engraving depicts an angel holding two trumpets, both of which have banners hanging from them, and playing one. The banners read "CEREMONIES ET COUTUMES DES RELIGIONS DU MONDE."

An engraved ornamental tailpiece appearing at the end of the fourth part of the section on Catholics. The engraving depicts an angel holding two trumpets, both of which have banners hanging from them, and playing one. The banners read "CEREMONIES ET COUTUMES DES RELIGIONS DU MONDE."

An ornamental tailpiece depicting a pair of winged centaurs surrounded by floral and vegetal decoration.

An ornamental tailpiece depicting a pair of winged centaurs surrounded by floral and vegetal decoration.

An engraved ornamental tailpiece appearing at the end of the fifth part of the section on Catholics. The engraving depicts a choir seated before an altar.

An engraved ornamental tailpiece appearing at the end of the fifth part of the section on Catholics. The engraving depicts a choir seated before an altar.

An ornamental tailpiece depicting a face (possibly a mask) surrounded by floral and vegetal decoration.

An ornamental tailpiece depicting a face (possibly a mask) surrounded by floral and vegetal decoration.

An engraved ornamental tailpiece appearing at the end of the introductory section. The engraving depicts a platform with the inscription "Finis" above which hangs a bell and drapery. Holding the drapery and bell up is a decorative boarder featuring a pair of cherubs, a censer, a stole, an open book (likely a Bible), and other Catholic ritual items.

An engraved ornamental tailpiece appearing at the end of the introductory section. The engraving depicts a platform with the inscription "Finis" above which hangs a bell and drapery. Holding the drapery and bell up is a decorative boarder featuring a pair of cherubs, a censer, a stole, an open book (likely a Bible), and other Catholic ritual items.

An engraved ornamental tailpiece to the preface of the section on the Inquisition, depicting the torture of heretics.

An engraved ornamental tailpiece to the preface of the section on the Inquisition, depicting the torture of heretics.

An engraved ornamental tailpiece to the first and second sections on the Inquisition, depicting a pair of Catholic officials trying a man during the Inquisition.

An engraved ornamental tailpiece to the first and second sections on the Inquisition, depicting a pair of Catholic officials trying a man during the Inquisition.

An engraving depicting the torture of Origen. The image shows Origen chained to a prison wall by his neck, his hands clasped in prayer and feet locked in a stocks, while torturers head coals and hold burning straw towards him.

An engraving depicting the torture of Origen. The image shows Origen chained to a prison wall by his neck, his hands clasped in prayer and feet locked in a stocks, while torturers head coals and hold burning straw towards him.

A series of six engravings depicting a conclave, the process by which Roman Catholic cardinals elect a new pope. The rules of the conclave, in which the cardinals are locked in seclusion, were established to prevent political interference and long delays. Food was delivered through a window; after three days, they only received one meal a day and after five days, only bread and water.

A series of six engravings depicting a conclave, the process by which Roman Catholic cardinals elect a new pope. The rules of the conclave, in which the cardinals are locked in seclusion, were established to prevent political interference and long delays. Food was delivered through a window; after three days, they only received one meal a day and after five days, only bread and water.

A series of six engravings depicting papal funeral rituals including the recognition of the pope’s body (top left), the procession of the body to Saint Peter’s basilica (second row), the body lying in state for three days at Saint Peter’s (third row left), the pope’s catafalque (a raised bier used to support the coffin) (third row right) and the funeral procession (bottom).

A series of six engravings depicting papal funeral rituals including the recognition of the pope’s body (top left), the procession of the body to Saint Peter’s basilica (second row), the body lying in state for three days at Saint Peter’s (third row left), the pope’s catafalque (a raised bier used to support the coffin) (third row right) and the funeral procession (bottom).

An engraving of the papal monument of Pope Paul V just inside the entry to the "hyemalis chorus" of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (located in the northeast section of the basilica near the bell tower where the present day Baptistry is).

An engraving of the papal monument of Pope Paul V just inside the entry to the "hyemalis chorus" of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (located in the northeast section of the basilica near the bell tower where the present day Baptistry is).

An engraving depicting Paul surrounded by Jewish leaders, who are accusing him of many crimes, standing in front of Porcius Festus, Procurate (governor) of Judea (left) and the Corinthians listening to Paul (right).

An engraving depicting Paul surrounded by Jewish leaders, who are accusing him of many crimes, standing in front of Porcius Festus, Procurate (governor) of Judea (left) and the Corinthians listening to Paul (right).

An engraving depicting to episodes from the Bible. On the left, Paul is shown engaging in discussion with the Jews in the city of Ephesus. On the right, the Tabernacle is depicted with a pair of men sitting before a shielding curtain.

An engraving depicting to episodes from the Bible. On the left, Paul is shown engaging in discussion with the Jews in the city of Ephesus. On the right, the Tabernacle is depicted with a pair of men sitting before a shielding curtain.

An engraving depicting Paul embracing Ephesian Elders as he departs on his journey to Jerusalem. The elders are shown crying, embracing and kissing him.

An engraving depicting Paul embracing Ephesian Elders as he departs on his journey to Jerusalem. The elders are shown crying, embracing and kissing him.

An engraving depicting the papal monument of Paul V in the Borghese Chapel in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. The monument sits on the eastern wall of the chapel and includes a statue of the pope as well as depictions of his life and works.

An engraving depicting the papal monument of Paul V in the Borghese Chapel in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. The monument sits on the eastern wall of the chapel and includes a statue of the pope as well as depictions of his life and works.

An engraved portrait of Pope Paul II, who sat as pope from 1464-1471. The portrait shows Paul II wearing elaborate vestments with his coat of arms featured in the upper right corner. The portrait is labeled "PAVLVS. II. PAPA. VENETVS".

An engraved portrait of Pope Paul II, who sat as pope from 1464-1471. The portrait shows Paul II wearing elaborate vestments with his coat of arms featured in the upper right corner. The portrait is labeled "PAVLVS. II. PAPA. VENETVS".

An engraved portrait of Pope Paul III, who sat as pope from 1534-1549. The portrait shows Paul III wearing simple vestments with his coat of arms featured in the upper left corner. The portrait is labeled "PAVLVS. III. PONT. OPT. MAX".

An engraved portrait of Pope Paul III, who sat as pope from 1534-1549. The portrait shows Paul III wearing simple vestments with his coat of arms featured in the upper left corner. The portrait is labeled "PAVLVS. III. PONT. OPT. MAX".

An engraved portrait of Pope Paul IV, who sat as pope from 1555-1559. The portrait shows Paul IV wearing a simple miter and vestments with his coat of arms featured in the upper left corner. The portrait is labeled "PAVLVS. IV. PAPA. NEAPOLITANVS".

An engraved portrait of Pope Paul IV, who sat as pope from 1555-1559. The portrait shows Paul IV wearing a simple miter and vestments with his coat of arms featured in the upper left corner. The portrait is labeled "PAVLVS. IV. PAPA. NEAPOLITANVS".