I just was curious about the HRE and then got onto some memes that the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy nor Roman nor an empire. At first it did make me laugh but then I thought about it. I think we all can agree that it wasn't really that holy xD But the word "Empire" in German does mean "Reich" which is a synonym for "Kingdom" or the Kingdom of a Kaiser. This does make sense for me. But now comes the part that made me really wonder: the Roman part. From my knowledge the city of Rome and the papal state was a part of the Empire but was it really that integrated in the Realm (thereby justifying the Empire's name as the successor of Rome)? Or were there other aspects why it was called like this? I only know that the emperor and the pope often fighted about who has the higher rank before god and who is allowed to crown himself/has to be crowned, etc. So I hope you can help me with my thoughts about the HRE and with your huge expertise :) And sorry for my bad English, trying my best.
While there's much more that can be said about the topic, this earlier answer by u/kieslowskifan provides context about the memes you describe (the quote in question is was made in 1761 by Voltaire, a French Enlightenment philosopher) and their historical validity. This thread, with contributions by u/Visceralrealism and u/Lubyak provides further context about Voltaire's quote and insight into how the Holy Roman Empire might have been seen as "holy," "Roman," and "an Empire" and talks about how the HRE was organized and functioned.