He usually reserves the power to excommunicate for heretics.
Pope he told the king what to do and could excommunicate him.
The pope can excommunicate anyone he feels has separated himself/herself from the Church by their words or actions. In most cases the person has excommunicated himself and the pope only makes it official.
The Pope can excommunicate an individual from the Church.
They could excommunicate others.
Henry lV violated the pope's orders.
Henry lV violated the pope's orders.
February 25, 1570
If the place is Constantinople then the answer is: because he wouldn't recognize his authority as a pope.
The pope would excommunicate one's king
Because he wouldn't recognize his authority as a pope.
The Eastern Orthodox Church.
Then pope had power over them and his power was the ability to excommunicate them. In this time in history this would be considered one of the worse things to happen to people. Plus, he also had power, armies, and held a great deal of wealth and lands.