Princesses - do they get cut off by border forts

[caravel]

Caravel, I'm not sure that would work because there would still be a new guy who takes generalship of the unit. Even if you do assassinate him, I'm pretty sure they would just elect the guy who took over the Pope's unit when you assassinated him. I think the only way this would be possible would be to assassinate every single guy in the Papacy's army and that would be an even bigger pain then just kicking him out of the game in standard fashion.(especially on huge unit size)

I believe you are right. And when that man becomes Pope the unit will be replenished to full strength, ensuring that this never occurs. Good thinking.

[Ciaran]

That is correct, the only way to get rid of the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire is to conquer each and every province of theirs.

And in case of the pope even that´s only temporary, he´ll be back.