Pope Clement VI, leading the Catholic Church during a complex period marked by the Black Death and political strife in Europe, issued the papal bull Unigenitus. This document provided detailed scriptural reasoning for the granting of indulgences, emphasizing the belief that believers could reduce the time spent in purgatory through acts of contrition prescribed by the Church. The indulgence system was founded on the concept of the treasury of merit, which suggested that the faithful could draw from the accumulated merits of Christ and the saints, thus meriting forgiveness for sins. Notably, Unigenitus limited access to this treasury exclusively to the Pope and the episcopate, effectively centralizing ecclesiastical power.The papal bull also established a jubilee year to occur every fifty years, encouraging pilgrimages to Rome and increasing the faithful's engagement with Church teachings and rituals. This regulation meant that believers could partake in special indulgences during this time, promoting not only religious activity but also financial support for the Church through donations made by pilgrims. Pope Clement VI's actions had significant implications, consolidating papal authority and underscoring the Church's role in personal salvation during an era of widespread societal upheaval and fear.