Latin Christianity

## Overview

Formed in 1054 during the Great Schism, Latin Christianity is one of two major denominations of Christianity, along side Eastern Orthodoxy, focused in Western and Central Europe where it is the primary religion. Although previously at threat of the rapidly expanding Islam during the 8th Century under the Umayyad Caliphate, after a Frankish victory in 732 at the battle of Tours, the Muslims have since been confined to Iberian and Sicilian frontiers. Catholicism has since been expanding rapidly with the Reconquista in Iberia and conversion of Rodnovery and Ásatrú, along the Baltic Coast and inScandinavia respectively.

The spiritual leader of Latin Christianity is the Pope located in the Vatican city, Papal States, who holds substantial centralised power over the followers of the faith. Additionally the Levant and Santiago (Galicia) are considered Holy Sites by Latin Christians, with Santiago and the Vatican experiencing mass pilgrimage, however the Levant is currently dominated by Islamic powers, hostile to Christians and hence has been a region of interest for the Papacy.

### Reform Desire

Reform desire a scale which is influenced by the piety, stability and corruption of the church , the greater the reform desire the greater the probability of the formation or proliferation of other Western Christian sects, if this occurs during the 15th Century or later this will result in the formation of first the Hussites, then the Protestants. From 15th Century until the Protestant Reformation, reform desire will increase at an accelerated rate.

### Bonuses

* Improved religious unity between heathens
* Improved Non-Abrahamic heretical conversion rate
* Improved birth rate
* Eligibility for participation in Crusades
* Eligibility for Holy Roman Empire membership
* Eligibility for becoming Curia controller

## Papacy

### History

Although the papacy has no distinct start, the role of the Bishop of Rome began to take shape during the 4th Century under the Roman Empire. With the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 480, the Eastern Roman Empire rule over Italy. The Eastern Roman and later Byzantine Rule over Italy would over time decline retreating south to where it currently holds minor territories today and Naples and Amalfi remaining tributary states. This decline would result in the formation of the Papal States in 754 and truly allow for Papacy to rule over the Latin Christians by imposing centralising reforms. In 962 Pope John XII would crown Otto the Great of East Francia as Holy Roman Emperor, successor to the Roman Empire, the title claimed by the Byzantine Empire, the formation of the Holy Roman Empire would also see the creation of the de jure kingdoms of Germany, Italy and Burgundy. Despite having formed the Holy Roman Empire and being a part of the Kingdom of Italy, issues relating to the share of power between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor has caused tensions between the two powers, bringing into question the Papacy's place within the Empire.

### Papal Selection

The Pope is elected by the cardinals from the cardinals, the cardinal with the most backers will become Pope, cardinals may not back themselves. In a nation with more than one cardinal all votes accumulated votes will be directed to the cardinal with the most support within that nation. to increase the chance of a cardinal being backed, several methods may be employed to improve the papal influence for one cardinal or the nation as a whole, these include but are not limited to; the construction of churches, participation in crusades and peaceful diplomatic policies for the nation; pilgrimage, charity and theological advisership for cardinals.

### Crusades

Crusades are Latin Christian military campaigns against other religions, including other Christians, but not other Latin Christians. Crusades, excluding the Reconquista, are declared by the Pope, but can be requested by any nation, including non-Christian ones, but typically other Latin Christians. When a Crusade is called any Latin Christians nations will again the following effects:

* Any Latin Christian nation that declares war on the Crusading, during the Crusade nation will be excommunicated
* The Crusading nation cannot declare war while on Crusade
* Crusader Units will be unlocked for use on the Crusade only
* Temporary terrain adaptation for units in the Crusade only
* Army and naval tradition, discipline and unit skill will double it's usual increase per battle
* Crusading Units will suffer half moral decline
* Pillaging provinces in the target nation will not have consequences for the crusader
* Will gain papal influence for every battle won and province occupied