In terms of pawn, indeed. It becomes obvious when reading the concordate.
At the same time the RCC also was a pawn in a power struggle that has been going on since 350 AD or so, especially since the pope started to claim the position of Pontifex Maximus.
Think: John plantagenet or Federick Barbarossa.
There is an interesting book called: of Pope's, Kings and the People. It describes the lead up to the creation of Vatican City, or the treaty of the laterans.
In terms of pawn, indeed. It becomes obvious when reading the concordate.
At the same time the RCC also was a pawn in a power struggle that has been going on since 350 AD or so, especially since the pope started to claim the position of Pontifex Maximus.
Think: John plantagenet or Federick Barbarossa.
There is an interesting book called: of Pope's, Kings and the People. It describes the lead up to the creation of Vatican City, or the treaty of the laterans.