The Dominican Order, formally known as the Order of Preachers, was founded by Saint Dominic in the early 13th century. Saint Dominic aimed to create an order that would live in poverty and focus on preaching, education, and combating the spread of heretical movements such as the Albigensians. His vision was realized when Pope Honorius III recognized the importance of this new mendicant order. On December 22, 1216, the Pope issued the papal bull 'Religiosam vitam,' which granted official approval to the Order, facilitating its growth and influence throughout Europe. This papal endorsement provided the foundation for the Dominicans to establish convents, schools, and centers for theological studies. The establishment of the Dominican Order marked a significant development in the Catholic Church's approach to addressing heresy and educating the laity. It became one of the leading religious orders during the Middle Ages, noted for its commitment to intellectual rigor and preaching. The Order was tasked with not only spreading the faith but also combating the rise of heretical groups. The approval of the Dominican Order was part of a broader movement in the Church that sought to reform and revitalize Christianity in response to the challenges it faced during this period. As Dominicans traveled across Europe, they engaged in theological debates and intellectual dialogues that significantly shaped the theological landscape of the era, contributing to a renewed emphasis on scholasticism and education within the Church.