Why did the pope called for the Crusades?
to take back the holy lands from Muslim control
to fight against the Byzantine Empire and restore Catholic practices in that region
to gain knowledge of the Muslim faith and bring it back to the people of the West
to help Christian people in the West escape poor living conditions
The correct answer is: to take back the holy lands from Muslim control.
In 1095, Pope Urban II called for the Crusades with the main objective of reclaiming Jerusalem and other holy sites from Muslim rule in the Holy Land. The Byzantine Empire, which had been losing territory to the Muslim Seljuk Turks, also requested assistance from the West. The Crusades were seen as a way to unite Christians and for the Pope to extend his authority over the Eastern Orthodox Church in the Byzantine Empire. However, it is important to note that while the official goal was to secure control of the holy lands, there were also political, economic, and social motivations for many individuals who participated in the Crusades.