Ok, I know crusades have no upkeep costs (makes using mercs great, even if they are partials by the time they get there) and several timesa I have heard people say 'The holy man foots the bill'.

Doe the pope actually have to pay the upkeep costs of every crusade? Every time? Or are the upkeep costs waived completely?

If the church really does foot the bill then loading a crusade with mercenaries and sitting it in a high zeal province would be a serious drain on the popes coffers, and if say as the sicillians you sat it in rome you would weaken his armies aswell. Great tactic for softening him up for conquest...

Does it work?