A great momentum had by now developed behind the papacy’s assertions of its power. Noblemen and humble folk alike flocked on the proclaimed crusade because they were excited by the Pope’s promise that this was a sure road to salvation. Urban made it clear that to die on crusade in a state of repentance and confession would guarantee immediate entry to Heaven, doing away with any necessity of penance after death: papal grants associated with this promise were the origins of the system of indulgences, later to cause such problems for the Western Church
