WI Byzantines take Rome?

How could the Byzantine campaigns in Italy lead to them taking Rome, the ancient capital of their great predecessor? Where would the Pope flee to and what would the reaction of the Catholic powers be?

Suppose that a Battle of Manzikert still occurs and the Turks begin to push the Byzantines out of Asia Minor, and possibly beyond. How long would the Byzantines likely last?
 
Hmmmm... In which date this occurs?
If its happening somehow near Manzikert the Byzantines cannot hold 2 fronts... Seljuks pushing them Westwards while In Italy they would struggle to keep Rome and their possessions from Normans who would press them from south and HRE from the north...
 
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If they take it when there able to hold it for a few years is it plausible that the Emperor might come across to be crowed Emperor of the West as well?
 
If they take it when there able to hold it for a few years is it plausible that the Emperor might come across to be crowed Emperor of the West as well?

I dont think so... HRE would see that as usurpation of their own titles in contravention of the "Pax Nicephori" terms...
If they want to hold Rome (which in my opinion is highly unlikely) the Byzantines need HRE as an ally not an enemy...
 
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