Papal States: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 15:25, 9 December 2024

The Papal States (Italian: Stato Pontificio), officially the State of the Church (Italian: Stato della Chiesa), were a series of territories in the Italian Peninsula under the direct sovereign rule of the Pope, from the 8th century until 1870. At their zenith, they covered most of the modern Italian regions of Lazio, Marche, Umbria, and parts of Emilia-Romagna.

History[edit]

Origins[edit]

The origins of the Papal States can be traced back to the Donation of Pepin in 754, when Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, granted the Pope control over a large territory in central Italy. This donation was a pivotal moment in the establishment of the temporal power of the papacy.

Middle Ages[edit]

During the Middle Ages, the Papal States were a significant political and religious power in Europe. The Pope, as both a spiritual leader and a temporal ruler, wielded considerable influence. The Investiture Controversy and the Crusades were key events during this period that highlighted the papacy's power.

Renaissance[edit]

The Renaissance was a period of great cultural and artistic achievement in the Papal States, particularly in Rome. The construction of St. Peter's Basilica and the commissioning of works by artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael were emblematic of this era.

Decline and Fall[edit]

The decline of the Papal States began in the 18th century, exacerbated by the French Revolution and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars. In 1870, the Capture of Rome by the Kingdom of Italy marked the end of the Papal States as a sovereign entity, leading to the unification of Italy.

Government and Administration[edit]

The Papal States were governed as a theocratic elective monarchy, with the Pope serving as the head of state. The administration was managed by various ecclesiastical officials, including cardinals and bishops, who oversaw different regions and aspects of governance.

Economy[edit]

The economy of the Papal States was primarily agrarian, with agriculture being the mainstay. However, trade and commerce also played a significant role, especially in cities like Rome and Bologna. The Papal States issued their own currency, such as the Papal Scudo and later the Papal Lira.

Culture[edit]

The Papal States were a center of art, culture, and learning, particularly during the Renaissance. The patronage of the arts by the papacy led to the creation of some of the most iconic works of Western art and architecture.

Also see[edit]

Template:Catholic Church topics

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-[[File:CoA_Pontifical_States_02.svg|CoA Pontifical States 02|thumb]] [[File:Papal_Arms_shield.svg|Papal Arms shield|thumb|left]] [[File:Gran_Marcia_Trionfale.ogg|left]]}}|Gran Marcia Trionfale|thumb|left]] [[File:The_Pope_Paulus_V_-_Nationalmuseum_-_158047.tif|The Pope Paulus V - Nationalmuseum - 158047|thumb]] [[File:Il_corteo_dell'ambasciatore_veneziano_Alvise_Mocenigo_dopo_l'udienza_papale_nel_palazzo_del_Quirinale.jpg|Il corteo dell'ambasciatore veneziano Alvise Mocenigo dopo l'udienza papale nel palazzo del Quirinale|thumb]] [[File:Gregory_XVI.jpg|Gregory XVI|thumb]] '''Papal States'''
+[[File:CoA Pontifical States 02.svg|thumb]] [[File:Papal Arms shield.svg|thumb]] [[File:The Pope Paulus V - Nationalmuseum - 158047.tif|thumb]] [[File:Il corteo dell'ambasciatore veneziano Alvise Mocenigo dopo l'udienza papale nel palazzo del Quirinale.jpg|thumb]] {{Infobox historical country
+| native_name = Stato Pontificio
+| conventional_long_name = Papal States
+| common_name = Papal States
+| continent = Europe
+| region = Italy
+| country = Italy
+| era = Middle Ages / Early modern period / Modern period
+| status = Sovereign state
+| government_type = Theocratic elective monarchy
+| year_start = 754
+| year_end = 1870
+| event_start = Donation of Pepin
+| event_end = Capture of Rome
+| p1 = Byzantine Empire
+| s1 = Kingdom of Italy
+| flag_p1 = Byzantine imperial flag, 14th century.svg
+| flag_s1 = Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg
+| image_flag = Flag of the Papal States (pre-1808).svg
+| flag_type = Flag
+| image_coat = Coat of arms of the Papal States (1825-1870).svg
+| symbol_type = Coat of arms
+| capital = Rome
+| common_languages = Latin, Italian
+| religion = Roman Catholic
+| currency = Scudo, Lira
+}}
-The '''Papal States''', also known as the '''State(s) of the Church''', were a series of territories in the Italian Peninsula under the direct sovereign rule of the [[Pope]], from the 8th century until 1870. They were among the major historical states of Italy before the Italian peninsula was unified in 1861 by the Kingdom of Italy. At their zenith, the Papal States covered most of Central Italy, including [[Rome]], the spiritual center of Western Christianity.
+The '''Papal States''' (Italian: ''Stato Pontificio''), officially the '''State of the Church''' (Italian: ''Stato della Chiesa''), were a series of territories in the Italian Peninsula under the direct sovereign rule of the Pope, from the 8th century until 1870. At their zenith, they covered most of the modern Italian regions of Lazio, Marche, Umbria, and parts of Emilia-Romagna.
-==History==
+== History ==
-The origin of the Papal States dates back to the 8th century, with the [[Donation of Pepin]], when [[Pepin the Short]], King of the Franks, gave the Pope a swath of territory that laid the foundation for the Papal States. This act was a pivotal moment in the relationship between the [[Catholic Church]] and the European political powers, symbolizing the Church's temporal authority in addition to its spiritual authority.
-Throughout the Middle Ages, the Papal States played a crucial role in European politics, serving as a buffer state between the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Italy. The Popes, as rulers of the Papal States, were involved in various political and military conflicts to protect and expand their territories. The Renaissance period saw the peak of Papal power and the transformation of Rome into a center of art, culture, and learning.
+=== Origins ===
+The origins of the Papal States can be traced back to the [[Donation of Pepin]] in 754, when Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, granted the Pope control over a large territory in central Italy. This donation was a pivotal moment in the establishment of the temporal power of the papacy.
-However, the Papal States faced numerous challenges, including invasions, internal conflicts, and the Reformation. The 19th century was particularly tumultuous, with the rise of nationalism and the unification of Italy. The Papal States were significantly reduced in size by the forces of the Kingdom of Italy until the capture of Rome in 1870, effectively ending the temporal power of the Pope.
+=== Middle Ages ===
+During the [[Middle Ages]], the Papal States were a significant political and religious power in Europe. The Pope, as both a spiritual leader and a temporal ruler, wielded considerable influence. The [[Investiture Controversy]] and the [[Crusades]] were key events during this period that highlighted the papacy's power.
-==Government==
+=== Renaissance ===
-The government of the Papal States was a theocratic absolute monarchy, with the Pope as the head of state. The Pope exercised supreme legislative, executive, and judicial powers. The administration of the Papal States was managed by various departments and officials appointed by the Pope, including the Cardinal Secretary of State, who handled foreign relations and internal administration.
+The Renaissance was a period of great cultural and artistic achievement in the Papal States, particularly in Rome. The construction of [[St. Peter's Basilica]] and the commissioning of works by artists such as [[Michelangelo]] and [[Raphael]] were emblematic of this era.
-==Economy==
+=== Decline and Fall ===
-The economy of the Papal States was primarily based on agriculture, trade, and the collection of taxes and tithes. The Church also benefited financially from pilgrimages to Rome and the sale of indulgences. However, the economy was often strained by the costs of war, the maintenance of the Papal court, and the construction of monumental buildings in Rome.
+The decline of the Papal States began in the 18th century, exacerbated by the [[French Revolution]] and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars. In 1870, the [[Capture of Rome]] by the Kingdom of Italy marked the end of the Papal States as a sovereign entity, leading to the unification of Italy.
-==Culture==
+== Government and Administration ==
-The Papal States were a center of the Renaissance, attracting artists, architects, and scholars from all over Europe. The Popes were great patrons of the arts, commissioning works from artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael. The construction of St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums were among the cultural achievements of this period.
+The Papal States were governed as a theocratic elective monarchy, with the Pope serving as the head of state. The administration was managed by various ecclesiastical officials, including cardinals and bishops, who oversaw different regions and aspects of governance.
-==Dissolution==
+== Economy ==
-The process of Italian unification in the 19th century, also known as the Risorgimento, led to the gradual erosion of the Papal States. The final blow came in 1870 with the capture of Rome by Italian troops. The Pope lost his temporal powers and became a "prisoner" in the Vatican, a situation that was resolved only in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, establishing Vatican City as an independent sovereign entity.
+The economy of the Papal States was primarily agrarian, with agriculture being the mainstay. However, trade and commerce also played a significant role, especially in cities like Rome and Bologna. The Papal States issued their own currency, such as the [[Papal Scudo]] and later the [[Papal Lira]].
-==Legacy==
+== Culture ==
-The legacy of the Papal States is complex, intertwined with the history of Italy, the Catholic Church, and the broader European political landscape. While the Papal States no longer exist, the Vatican City remains a significant religious and cultural entity, continuing the legacy of the Papacy's role in world affairs.
+The Papal States were a center of art, culture, and learning, particularly during the Renaissance. The patronage of the arts by the papacy led to the creation of some of the most iconic works of Western art and architecture.
-[[Category:History of the Papacy]]
+== Also see ==
-[[Category:Former countries in Italian history]]
+* [[Vatican City]]
-[[Category:States and territories established in the 8th century]]
+* [[Donation of Constantine]]
+* [[Avignon Papacy]]
+* [[Italian unification]]
+* [[Holy See]]
+{{Catholic Church topics}}
+[[Category:History of the Papal States]]
+[[Category:Former countries in Europe]]
+[[Category:States and territories established in 754]]
 [[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1870]]
-{{history-stub}}