It's easier to get your will if your opposition legitimates their rule by "god wills that I am the king" and you are the final authority on what god wills. I think that situation has changed a bit since the last time the papacy has won a conflict.
Interesting choice of words - and I agree with it.
But I would add that the theological aspect has usually been accompanied by the will of a large mass of people willing to disrupt order on behalf of the papacy. I believe that aspect still exists, even in secular France today, though to what degree I'm not sure. Likely, the secular French of today are as willing to fight unrest as those dedicated to the church are willing to fight for it.
Holy wars are horrible. Best avoided, and both sides know that.
