have. when charlemagne was crowned emperor on christmas day in eight hundred it was a historic moment for contemporaries a sensation that resonated across europe. it was the first time a pope had crowned an emperor and the first time this emperor had come from an empire that was not roman. only a successor of some peter could award the title of emperor in the name of god that s why charlemagne had recognized the supremes pontiff as his spiritual head. in return charlemagne liberated the papacy from by zan time domination and placed it under its military protection. that s why the pope had to pay homage to the new emperor as his won t leave room.