The Church granted pardons from sins, to those who participated in the Crusades!

The Church, particularly the Papacy, used the Crusades to mobilize support, expand its influence, and combat perceived threats, primarily through preaching, granting indulgences, and political maneuvering, ultimately shaping European history for centuries.

The Church, led by Popes like Urban II, initiated and promoted the Crusades, with Pope Urban II launching the First Crusade in 1095 with a passionate sermon at the Council of Clermont.

The Church used powerful preaching campaigns to mobilize support, with preachers disseminating the message of liberating the Holy Land and offering the possibility of atonement and salvation.

The Church granted indulgences, pardons from the temporal punishment due for sins, to those who participated in the Crusades, offering a powerful incentive for participation.