Ha the pope attacked florence after excommunicating me for taking Milan.

He died in the siege battle.

I lost the the city though - inflicting 90% casualties on the papal army.

Then we elected a sicilian in as pope, but I assulted rome and sacked it in the very next turn, - Pope 2 dies by the hand of Venice.

Then we elected a spaniard to be pontif.

I gifted Rome back to him after destroying all the buildings.

I own all northern Italy - milan has gone and the HRE in bologne was taken by assult in the first few turns.

Wild! I now have three Cardinals!