Why did the pope approve the African slave trade?

The approval of the African slave trade by some popes can be traced back to the complex interplay of economic, political, and religious factors during the Age of Exploration. In the late 15th century, Pope Alexander VI issued the papal bull "Inter caetera," which aimed to legitimize Spanish and Portuguese conquests and missionary efforts in the New World, inadvertently facilitating the justification for slavery. The church often prioritized the spread of Christianity and the economic benefits of colonialism over the moral implications of slavery. However, it is important to note that the church's stance evolved over time, and later popes condemned the practice.