[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

But Pope Leo thought the power of God would allow him and an army of Italians to prevail militarily against the Normans. His army was convinced it was true as well, right up until the Norman charge and rout. So much for that theory. ;)

I tend to doubt that the Pope believed that, whatever he said to the troops to encourage them. In any case the belief is that 'the Gates of Hell' will not prevail against the Church, not that the temporal power of the Pope would prevail against that of other members of the Church.

[allmendream]

Yes, but I have heard before from Catholics that the Church is under the protection of the Holy Ghost and that God would not allow any harm to come to it. Nevermind the corruption of Popes with their “natural sons” or “Papal nephews”, nevermind the schisms when there were two Popes, nevermind the times the Pope had to flee Rome, nevermind when the King of France had the Pope assassinated and had a puppet Pope appointed, nevermind when the Pope took the field of battle only to be routed.

God offers sanctuary for your soul, he promises no protection for the body, or even the “body” of the Church from corruption or assassination or conquest.

[allmendream]

Additionally Pope Leo had to think SOMETHING was going to help him and his peasant army defeat trained Norman warriors, perhaps he thought it would be their faith and not directly the Power of God. However he did promised them the power of God would protect them and allow them to rid Italy of the Norman scourge, his promises were in vain.