The Venetians have been excommunicated, Prinz Henry, and so are outside the protection of the Church. They are oath-breakers and must be broken themselves.
Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius.
I apologize for my Latin, it is rusty, the translation is "Kill them all. God will know His own".
No Christian babe is ever outside the protection of God, even if his Lord has been excommunicated. Extermination of innocent Christian women and children is a crime against the Heavens themselves. If you wish to kill the unarmed, perhaps you should take up the Cross and march eastwards. There are many heathens there that you can put to the sword without incurring the wrath of God.
I retract my statement condemning the elimination of excess population within Venice. We will indeed save money via the elimination of a larger garrison. In regards to the death of innocents that Mandorf says are protected by god i say "Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnoscet", Kill them all. God will recognize his own.
I whole heartedly support making an example of The City of Vencie, It should serve as an example for the rest of europe of what happens if you double cross the HRE. It will also make the garrison work that mush esaier.