The support Pepin enjoyed from the papacy was decisive, although negotiations were also underway between Aistulf and the pope (which soon failed), and an attempt was made to weaken Pepin by turning his brother Carloman against him.
Paavsti toetus oli otsustav, kuigi läbirääkimised olid käimas ka Aistulfi ja paavsti vahel (mis varsti nurjusid), ning tehti ka katse nõrgestada Pippinit, ässitades tema vastu tema venda Karlmanni.