Editing Louis XIV (section)

===Piety and religion===
[[File:Paris - Séminaire des Missions étrangères - 9.jpg|thumb|Louis XIV encouraged Catholic missions through the creation of the [[Paris Foreign Missions Society]]]]
Louis was a pious and devout king who saw himself as the head and protector of the [[Catholic Church in France]]. He made his devotions daily regardless of where he was, following the [[liturgical calendar]] regularly.{{Sfn|Wolf|1968|p=280}} Under the influence of his very religious second wife, he became much stronger in the practice of his [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] faith.{{Sfn|Bryant|2004|p=83}} This included banning opera and comedy performances during [[Lent]].{{Sfn|Bryant|2004|p=83}}

Towards the middle and the end of his reign, the centre for the King's religious observances was usually the [[Chapels of Versailles|Chapelle Royale]] at Versailles. Ostentation was a distinguishing feature of his daily Mass, annual celebrations (such as those of [[Holy Week]]), and special ceremonies.{{Sfn|Gaudelus|2000|pp=513–526}} Louis established the [[Paris Foreign Missions Society]], but his informal [[Franco-Ottoman alliance#Revival of the alliance under Louis XIV|alliance]] with the [[Ottoman Empire]] was criticised for undermining [[Christendom]].{{Sfn|Claydon|2007|p=182}}