So...Is this normal?

[Illusive Man]

I am playing as the Holy Roman Empire and attacked The Papal States. I got immediately excommunicated, but after taking all their cities (Naples and Rome), I got reconciled. But for some reason they are still in the game. Does the pope and papal states stay no matter what?

[Kameraden]

If there is no catholic factions, there's no cardinals. No cardinal=no pope. So papal state can die.
And you were reconciled because the pope you fought died during one of those sieges, or your faction lieder died. Most likely the pope died.

[Illusive Man]

Thanks and do you know where I can find Mr. Pope?

[Kameraden]

I believe His Holiness lurks around Rome since He has no Capital to go to. I could be wrong though, He might start a rampage in Middle-East and settle there.

[Ultra123]

if the pope loses rome im sure one of the catholic states give him a region.....

[Cathedralsquares]

He'll pop up somewhere. Trust me I took over Rome as Venice and couldn't find the Pope ever again. He dropped off the face of the earth. Thankfully I got reconciled.