@Tincow: Good point…to be honest I had completely forgotten about the Pope-o-Meter. However, the good news is that because I was so dubious about the Popes reaction to things I made a series of saved games so I can confirm exactly what the Pope-O-Meter was reading at various points.
1116 AD Summer Pope-o-Meter Venice 6/10 Milan 6/10
There are still 2 turns to go on the Yellow Card issued by the Pope following my successful assault on Milan. Nevertheless, a Milanese Army is currently besieging the city and this saved game was made because I was about to launch a sally to drive them off, and wasn’t sure if the Pope would give me a Red Card. In fact, I didn't get a Red Card though I notice that my Papal standing dropped by 1 at some point after this event.
1120 AD Summer Pope-o-Meter Venice 5/10 Milan 6/10
The Yellow Card has expired and I am just about to commence my attack on Genoa. Since 1116 AD I have complied with a Papal demand to send a Crusade to Jerusalem which should have got me a few brownie points but for some reason my standing has dropped slightly, whilst Milan's has remained at 6 despite its attack on my city.
1122 AD Winter Pope-o-Meter Venice 5/10 Milan 6/10
My army is besieging Genoa and is ready to assault the walls but a Papal Yellow Card has just been delivered telling me cease hostilities for 7 turns. It would take 5 turns for Genoa to surrender without a fight but there is a huge Milanese Army hovering between Milan and Genoa which could either attack my besieging force or walk into Milan so I don’t really have the option of starving Genoa into submission, even if the Pope would allow it.
I decided to risk assaulting the walls and got a Red Card for doing so.
Conclusion
I’m still confused. Whilst Milan’s Papal standing is slightly higher than mine its not that much higher and personally I don’t understand why mine dropped after defending myself against Milan’s aggression and raising an army for the Popes crusade whilst Milan’s has remained static.
Once again I think more transparency is needed as I would like to know just how much my actions and the enemies are influencing or likely to influence the Pope.
So, far his Holiness has gratefully accept two provinces from me as gifts and has had a crusading army raised by me in his name and yet my Papal standing is less than Milan’s, who so far as I am aware haven’t even sent the Pope a bunch of flowers.
BTW: The Pope is Gregory of the Papal States, no idea if that makes any difference.
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