Concordat of Worms

The Concordat of Worms, established in 1122, was an agreement between Pope Callixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V. It resolved a power struggle over whether the Church or the emperor had the authority to appoint bishops and abbots. The treaty allowed the Church to choose its leaders, but the emperor retained the right to grant them secular authority. This compromise marked a significant step in defining the separate powers of church and state in medieval Europe, helping to reduce conflicts over control and influence in religious appointments.