In 1773, Pope Clement XIV suppressed the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, under pressure from various European monarchs who viewed the order as a threat to their power. This dissolution had far-reaching effects on education, missionary work, and the Catholic Church's influence in Europe and beyond. The suppression marked a significant moment in the struggle between church and state, altering the landscape of religious and political power.

The suppression of the Jesuits in 1773 had profound effects on Catholic intellectual life and missionary literature. This event influenced Enlightenment critiques, with poets like Voltaire and later Romantic writers addressing themes of faith, reason, and the complexities of belief in their works.