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How did the Risorgimento threaten the Papal States?
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Pius IX
Pius IX is the longest-reigning pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. His pontificate lasted from 1846 to 1878.
The Risorgimento—the 19th-century movement for Italian unification—threatened the Papal States by positioning them as a fundamental obstacle to national unity. Because the Papal States geographically divided the Italian peninsula, they stood as an absolute barrier to the creation of a unified Italian nation.12
Initially, Pius IX attempted to balance his role as a temporal ruler with the liberal and nationalistic aspirations of the era. However, he eventually concluded that both liberalism and nationalism led to revolution, which threatened the church's interests. As the movement for unification gained momentum, the Papal States faced increasing pressure:32
- Territorial Loss: Following Austria's defeat in 1859, various papal territories broke away to join the kingdom of Sardinia. By 1861, all former papal lands except for Rome and its surrounding region had been incorporated into the new kingdom of Italy.1
- Military Occupation: Rome remained separate only due to the protection of French troops. When these forces withdrew in 1870, Italian troops occupied the city, effectively ending the Papal States.12