Board Thread:Timeline Discussions/@comment-4923787-20130202175501/@comment-32656-20130531072949

No.

They tried, and failed, at that task a few times. They are in no position, whatsoever, by the time in question to do any of that, influence or otherwise.

Not true - Pepin owed his title, in part, to papal support. He owed the pope, so when he was asked to help them fight the Lombards, he agreed.

Somewhat debatable as to why he died, though disease is likely the cause. If he lives, he inherits a third of his father's empire as had been planned, and the Frankish realm splits a few decades prior to otl.