Monasteries were exempted from episcopal jurisdiction on payment of a tribute to Rome.
The pope had now become "the universal bishop;" he had a concurrent jurisdiction in all the dioceses, and could bring any cases before his own courts.

His relation to the bishops was that of an absolute sovereign to his officials.

A bishop could resign only by his permission, and sees vacated by resignation lapsed to him.

Appeals to him were encouraged in every way for the sake of the dispensations; thousands of processes came before the Curia, bringing a rich harvest to Rome.

Often when there were disputing claimants to benefices, the pope would oust them all, and appoint a creature of his own.