Quote Originally Posted by Martok
It also helps to keep only a minimal garrison in Rome & the Papal States. The size of the Pope's re-emergence armies is partially dependent on the size of the garrison stationed in the province where he reappears. (And in truth, that applies to pretty much all rebellions & re-emergences in the game, not just the Pope.)

So if you keep only a modest garrison when the Pope re-emerges, you can simply retreat to the castle and then move in your main army from right next door.
Yes, but in this case you have to fight an offensive battle rather than a defensive one, which is usually easier.
An off-topic question: does the amount of troops kept in Khazar around 1230 have a direct effect on the numbers of the Horde, or is it always a standard one? Also, has anyone figured out what causes the Horde toa appear in two or three provinces instead of just Khazar?