WI Roman Church remained under direct Imperial control?

In 376 AD Emperor Gratian visited Rome where he relinquished the traditional title of Pontifex Maximus as not befitting to a christian...
WI Gratian didnot gave up his title and just transformed it to a "lay head" of Roman Church?
Maybe after the fall of Western Empire 100 years later his title would be transfered to Eastern Emperor Zeno who under his capacity as head of Roman Church keeps Pope in pocket...
Is this plausible? How is this turn of events alters History?
 
Bright day
The Church did remain under Imperial control - that is in places where Empire mattered. Heard of Ceasaropapism?
 
Bright day
The Church did remain under Imperial control - that is in places where Empire mattered. Heard of Ceasaropapism?

Yes... But my WI was (Sorry if i didnot expressed myself clearly) that Papacy remains tight to Emperors of the West at first and secondly to the East even after 7th century when Pope Agatho managed to achieve the Imperial tax of 3000 solidi upon papal elections... Since the Emperors would continue to bear the title of Pontifex Maximus the Pope would be just another Patriarch... a subject to every political intrigue... Of course this butterflies away the switching of allegiance to Franks in 8th century...
 
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