Keywords: The Catholic Church and Religious Freedom. In the early modern period, the Catholic Church was one of the confessional states in which religion and politics, altar and throne, formed a unity. The politically weakened popes of the 19th century used religious-spiritual means to intensify their questioned claim to political rule. The strict rejection of religious freedom was one of the foundations of their policy. Theological and political learning processes in the periphery of the church made it possible at Vatican II to turn away from the strict condemnation of religious freedom and to overcome the Catholic doctrine of tolerance. Externally, the post-conciliar Catholic Church was profiled by John Paul II as a global movement to promote religious freedom. No consequences were drawn from religious freedom as a right of the person for the internal power structure of the church.