How did Iconoclasm damage relations between the Byzantine Empire and the papacy?

The policy of Iconoclasm introduced by Emperor Leo III severely damaged relations between the Byzantine Empire and the papacy by creating a deep religious and political rift.123

The conflict unfolded through several key actions:

• Rejection of Imperial Policy: Popes Gregory II and Gregory III firmly rejected Leo III’s efforts to impose the destruction of religious images upon Byzantine-controlled areas of Italy.12
• Retaliatory Measures: In response to papal defiance, Leo III confiscated papal rights and financial contributions from southern Italy. He also reportedly removed the churches of Sicily, Calabria, and Illyria from papal jurisdiction, placing them under the authority of the patriarch of Constantinople.12
• Shift in Alliances: The hostility from the Byzantine emperor led the popes to stop relying on the Byzantine military for protection against the Lombards. Instead, they increasingly turned to the Frankish kings as alternative protectors of the Holy See, ultimately weakening the Byzantine position in the Italian peninsula and fostering a sense of practical independence in Rome.23