When the Pope reemerges, stay out of his way and you will not be excommed or at war with him.

I usually save the Pope for last, but when I take the Papal States earlier in a game I usually leave immediately, but if it is you that owns the Papal States then when he reemerges you will be at war if you stay and fight - abandon the provinces and you should be OK.

Quote Originally Posted by [b
Quote[/b] ]Is it possible to let him have Papal States when he comes back and contain him there with large armies in the surrounding provinces, and thus reach a ceasefire and have the excomm lifted?
That's exactly what I do.

Assassination is a better tool for dealing with His Pointy-Hattedness

ichi