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The Catholic Church played a crucial role in attempting to unify Europe during the Middle Ages through various means. One way was through the establishment of a common religious framework and ideology. The Church provided a shared belief system and moral code, thereby fostering a sense of unity and identity among Catholic Europeans. Additionally, the Church worked to establish a hierarchical structure and centralized authority. Through the Pope, the Catholic Church was able to exert significant influence over secular rulers, unifying them under the authority of the Church and encouraging cooperation and collaboration among European leaders.