For the first time in history, innocent iii used as a tool for political gain against his rival, emperor frederick ii.

He used a Crusade as a weapon of power. Frederick II had become king at a young age due to the death of his father, Henry VI, and Innocent was against the idea of unification of Sicily under one ruler, since there were 3 who were being considered at the time. As a way of looking to excommunicate heretics, Innocent began a Great Crusade campaign in 1198, which he led himself, unlike prior pontiffs.

It covered the territory of land across eurasia from northeastern europe to the pacific ocean.