In 962 A.D. Otto the Great, as we have learned,
restored imperial rule in the West, thus founding what in later centuries the
came to be known as the Holy Roman Empire. Otto as emperor possessed the rights
of making the city of Rome the imperial capital, of approving the election of
the pope, and, in general, of exerting much influence in papal affairs. All
these rights had been exercised by Charlemagne. But Otto did what Charlemagne
had never done when he deposed a pope who proved disobedient to his wishes and
on his own authority appointed a successor. At the same time Otto exacted from
the people of Rome an oath that they would never recognize any pope to whose
election the emperor had not consented.
THE PAPACY AND OTTO'S SUCCESSORS
The emperors who followed Otto repeatedly interfered in
elections to the Papacy. One strong ruler, Henry III (1039-1056 A.D.), has been
called the "pope-maker." Early in his reign he set aside three rival
claimants to the Papacy, creating a German bishop pope, and on three subsequent
occasions filled the papal throne by fresh appointments. It was clear that if this
situation continued much longer the Papacy would become simply an imperial
office; it would be merged in the Empire.
