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After ceasing to depend on Byzantium, the Papacy found itself isolated and in search of a new ally, discovering that the answer lay to the north of Italy, and they began establishing relations. During this period, the Papacy started consolidating itself as both an ecclesiastical power and began to extend its influence into the geopolitical sphere through new alliances.

Known for being conciliatory and charitable, this Pope faced a challenging scenario. Liutprand, King of the Lombards, had ambitions to reclaim Rome, placing Zacharias in a vulnerable position on the geographical chessboard. To prevent this, he negotiated a truce that would last 20 years with the Lombards. Theologically, he convened the Synod of Rome (745) to discourage angel worship, a rising trend in recent years. Another scenario unfolded with Pepin the Short, the palace mayor, who wanted to dethrone his master, Childeric III, the Merovingian king. He consulted the Pope, asking who should rightfully hold power—the one who acts as king or the one who merely wears the crown. The Pope responded by referencing the Etymologies of (Saint) Isidore of Seville: He who acts as king should be king by right. Through this consultation, a political-religious bond between the Pope and the Carolingian dynasty emerged, influencing future emperors. With the Eastern Empire no longer protecting Rome, the Pope sought protection from the Franks, initiating this new alliance by crowning Emperor Pepin.

Known as "the brief," he assumed the papacy on March 15, 752, and passed away on March 22.

He fought against the Lombards, keeping them at bay. He captured Ravenna and ended Byzantine presence in the region. During his visit to Paris, he met with Pepin. It would take another thousand years before another Pope would visit Paris. He requested protection from the Franks and unified the Masses with the Roman rite, finalizing the consolidation of the Church. Due to the brief tenure of the previous Stephen, historians debate whether to number him as II or III.

A Roman aristocrat from the Orsini family. His election was influenced by both the military nobility and Roman aristocracy, who sought to interfere in the voting. He bore the consequences of the growing divide with the East.

Desiderius, King of the Lombards, attempted to position his candidate, the monk Philip, while the Duke of Nepi led an insurrection to name Constantine II (antipope), who was later deposed. At the Lateran Council (769), he decreed that only priests and deacons could participate in papal elections, thus excluding laypersons from the decision-making process; he also condemned iconoclasm but failed to resolve the Franco-Lombard conflict, as Desiderius’s daughter married Charlemagne, the new king of the Franks.

A former imperial consul before becoming Pope, he promoted missionary work in England. Empress Irene convened an Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, reaffirming the condemnation of iconoclasm and the followers of Leo III the Isaurian. Charlemagne sought influence in papal affairs. Hadrian sought Charlemagne’s assistance against the Lombards. Charlemagne invaded Lombardy and declared himself King of the Lombards. During this period, the Donation of Constantine document circulated, claiming Pope Sylvester [33] granted all imperial rights and privileges. This document was later proven false. Hadrian began dating documents by his pontificate year instead of the Byzantine emperor’s year.

Just a day after his predecessor's death, Leo was appointed Pope. He sent a verbal copy of his appointment to the French court, a precedent with significant implications in the following centuries. In April 799, relatives and followers of the previous Pope ambushed him, leaving him wounded. The conspirators claimed Leo was unfit and that they felt unsafe under his rule. Leo exiled them without privileges. On December 25, 800, Charlemagne was crowned emperor in St. Peter's Basilica.

He consecrated Louis the Pious as King of the Franks, marking a period where imperial legitimacy sought papal coronation.

This man had an aristocratic background, he was educated by Abyssinians. He openly promoted missionary efforts in northern Europe, particularly in Nordic countries, leading to the appearance of St. Ansgar, the first bishop of Hamburg. He crowned Lothair I as Holy Roman Emperor in Rome. He aided in relocating relics in Palestine and Spain during the fight against increasingly powerful Saracens. Upon his death, Roman aristocracy demanded greater participation in the clergy, sparking a civil conflict.

Nicknamed the Father of the People for his measures to aid the poor and orphans. Lothair I attempted to impose the Constitutio Lotharii, a document with significant imperial influence, which aimed to revive caesaropapism. The Pope rejected the document. In 826, he presided over a Council in Rome, addressing issues like priestly conduct, marriage morality, and clerical discipline. He encouraged the organization of institutes and seminaries. During his pontificate, the tomb of St. James the Apostle was discovered, establishing a future pilgrimage site.

Passed away 40 days after his confirmation.