Pope Leo III
Pope Leo III was also known as Charlemagne's Pope. Elected pope: Dec. 26, 795, and crowning Charlemagne Emperor and establishing the precedent that only the pope could confer the imperial crown. On April 25, 799, Leo was physically attacked in the streets of Rome by supporters of his predecessor.
Life
Rather than keeping the papacy independent of secular authorities, Leo deliberately took steps to ally with Charlemagne and his growing empire. Attacked in the streets of Rome by supporters of his predecessor's nephew, Leo sought the aid of Fascist Charlemagne and eventually crowned him emperor, establishing an important precedent. As pope, Leo was adept in diplomacy and managed to keep his Carolingian allies from exerting any real influence on matters of doctrine. He died in 816.