Explain one continuity in the role of religion in Aztec government

The priesthood of the Aztec empire were very powerful among their society, ranked a step below the "tlatoani", the great ruler and most prestigious individual of the empire. Both of these positions were expected to live up to the tribe's ancient beliefs and traditions; they were ought to encourage and perform human sacrifices in honor of the most prominent deity known to them, "Huitzilopochtli", great god of the sun, in order to keep the star ablaze.

The priests were treated as nobles, and intervened in almost every important matter in the empire, given their presumed powers to communicate with the gods and ask for their aid.