According2Sam #101 'The Donation'

The Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, is a position like no other. It is a position that carries prestige and power, not only as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, but as the head of state for Vatican City and all of the territories included in the States of the Church. However, the Pope hasn't always had this prestige and power. Until the late 8th Century the Pope had no lands, and he had to get permission from the Roman Emperors in Constantinople before he could even accept the election to Pope. It was a position that really didn't have much more influence than any other bishop in the Church. That started to change when the Pope made a deal with the Franks and the rich and powerful French family, the Carolingians. Pepin the Short donated what became the Papal States to the Pope, and it would change the Papacy forever. What did the Carolingians get in return for this donation, and how did this alliance kick off what many refer to as the Dark Ages? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #101.