Why was pope leo iii’s crowning of charlemagne significant? a) it established the church as a political force. b) it proved that the church could make political decisions c) it indicated that the pope had more power than monarchs d) it showed that the pope was ruling the holy roman empire

The correct option is A "It established the Church as a political force."

Charlemagne was king of the Franks from 768, nominal king of the Lombards since 764 and Imperator Augustus-emperor-from 800 until his death. Son of King Pepin the Short and of Bertrada de Laon, succeeded his father and viceroy with his brother, Carloman I. Although relations between the two became strained, the sudden death of Carloman prevented the outbreak of war. He reinforced the friendly relations that his father had maintained with the papacy and became his protector after defeating the Lombards in Italy.

Charlemagne expanded the various Frankish kingdoms into an empire, to which he incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. He conquered Italy and was crowned Imperator Augustus by Pope Leo III on December 25, 800 in Rome, thanks to the opportunity offered by the deposition of Constantine VI and what was considered the vacancy of the imperial throne, occupied by a woman, Irene. These facts provoked the indignation of the imperial court, which refused to recognize its supposed title. After a frustrated wedding plans between Charlemagne and Irene, the war broke out. Finally, in 812 Miguel I Rangabé recognized Charlemagne as emperor (although not "Emperor of the Romans").