Editing Pope Innocent XI (section)

===Cologne controversy===
[[File:InocencioXIb.jpg|245px|right|[[List of extant papal tombs|Monument to Pope Innocent XI]], St. Peter's Basilica|thumb]]
The tension between the Pope and the King of France was increased by Innocent's procedure in filling the vacant [[Electorate of Cologne|archiepiscopal see of Cologne]]. The two candidates for the see were Cardinal [[Wilhelm Egon von Fürstenberg]], then [[Bishop of Strasbourg]], and [[Joseph Clemens of Bavaria|Joseph Clemens]], a brother of [[Max Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria]]. The former was a willing tool in the hands of Louis XIV and his appointment as Archbishop and [[Prince-elector]] of Cologne would have implied French preponderance in north-western Germany.

Joseph Clement was not only the candidate of Emperor [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold I]] (1658–1705) but of all European rulers, with the exception of the King of France and his supporter and cousin, King [[James II of England]] (1685–88). At the election, which took place on 19 July 1688, neither of the candidates received the required number of votes. The decision, therefore, fell to Innocent XI, who designated Joseph Clemens as Archbishop and Elector of Cologne.

Louis XIV retaliated by taking possession of the papal territory of [[Avignon]], imprisoning the [[papal nuncio]] and appealing to a general council. Nor did he conceal his intention to separate the French Church entirely from Rome. The Pope remained firm. The subsequent fall of James II in England destroyed French preponderance in Europe and soon after Innocent XI's death the struggle between Louis XIV and the papacy was settled in favour of the Church.<ref name=kelly287/>