The Concordat of Worms

The Concordat of Worms, signed in 1122, was an agreement that ended a conflict between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope over who had the authority to appoint church officials like bishops. It established that only the Church could choose and invest bishops with spiritual authority, while the emperor retained some influence over their secular roles. This compromise clarified the separation of religious and imperial powers in appointment processes, helping to reduce conflict and define the relationship between Church and state in medieval Europe.