Pope back but lands held by the rebels

[gaijinalways]

Another interesting event in MTW. My pope was announced as resurfacing (after I killed him), but currently the two usual pope provinces are held by rebels! Anyone seen this before?

I wonder if they may be bribed by the pope when he resurfaces or better　yet, the pope will have to fight his way back in (was hoping the BYZ would take these provinces for that same reason, but the BYZ gave up after a battle with me and another with the rebels who came after I left).

I know the pope influence is there as the Spanish started a crusade going to Livonia (which I attacked in Syria), but I can't remember if this crusade started before I dropped the pope or not.