The reprimands of the Pope, couched as they are in such an unprecedented form, infuriate Henry and his court, and their answer is the hastily convened national council in Worms, Germany (the synod of Worms), which meets on January 24, 1076.

In the higher ranks of the German clergy Gregory has many enemies, and a Roman cardinal, Hugo Candidus, once on intimate terms with him but now his opponent, had hurried to Germany for the occasion.

All the accusations with regard to Gregory that Candidus could come up with are well received by the assembly, which commits itself to the resolution that Gregory has forfeited the papacy.

In one document full of accusations, the bishops renounce their allegiance to Gregory.

In another, Henry pronounces him deposed, and the Romans are required to choose a new pope.

The council sends two bishops to Italy, and they procure a similar act of deposition from the Lombard bishops at the synod of Piacenza.