Q. In a recent history class the professor referred to the “Papal States.” I never heard of them. What are they?
A. Good question. I would guess that most Catholics are not aware of what the Papal States were.
The Papal States were a large swath of land, largely in the middle of modern-day Italy, which was governed by the pope. The pope was the temporal (civil) ruler as well as the spiritual ruler over these states.
The origins of the Papal States as a sovereign political entity dates back to the sixth century. The history of the Papal States is a colorful and diverse one that includes the Holy Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the French Revolution, Napoleon, and Italian nationalism.
With the unification of Italy in 1870-71, Italy declared war on the Papal States and the Papal States were lost and incorporated into modern-day Italy. The pope at that time – Pope Pius IX – retreated to the Vatican and became “a prisoner of the Vatican.” This situation existed from 1870 to 1929 when the Holy See and Italy negotiated the Lateran Treaty. The treaty included many elements including financial compensation by Italy to the Holy See for the loss of the Papal States and the recognition of Catholicism in the Italian state.
The history of the Papal States is fascinating and a worthy read for those who enjoy the history of the papacy. Thanks for the question.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
