ROME AND THE POLITICS OF FASCISM
Church and State
The Vatican and the Fascist state of Italy had tenuous relations until this treaty was signed on February 11, 1929. Though far from outright animosity, both parties engaged in a strange dance of enmity and remittance. In the years leading up to the Lateran Accords, this dance was on full display. We outline it here for you through a series of New York Times articles related to the events.
Throughout almost the entire reign of Fascism in Italy, Pius XI ruled as Pontiff in the Vatican. He remained confined to the Vatican under voluntary imprisonment until July 25, 1929 after the official ratification of the Lateran Accords.
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The Church and the Fascist State: a Timeline
------ 1926 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 12, 1926
The Vatican released a statement proclaiming that it would not accept any treaty with the Italian state unless it provided for the full freedom of the Holy See. While Mussolini had made overtures to the Vatican previously, the Church continued to reject them in favor of the pretense of neutrality.
January 29, 1926
The Secretary of State for the Vatican declared in an interview that all negotiations with Mussolini had been “just words.” He recognized that Mussolini had given the Vatican many “little” concessions and proceeds to list them: “He has replaced the crucifix in schools, he has returned the buildings which belonged to the Jesuits…he has relieved the priests of military duty. He has made obligatory the teaching of the Catechism in primary schools. He has replaced at the Coloseum a cross taken away fifteen years ago.”
May 9, 1926
The Italian State created an official commission that was tasked with reviewing the guaranty laws, to which the Vatican had been strongly opposed. These laws regulated relations between the Vatican and Italy, and their repeal would be yet another concession by Mussolini to the Vatican. The Church issued a statement itimating that it was moving closer to officially recognizing the Fascist regime and issued conditions for negotiations with the State.
December 20, 1926
The Pope outright condemned Fascism in a secret speech, claiming that its use of man as a means and not an end was not consistent with Church teachings. Unwilling to completely alienate the Duce, however, the Pontiff also tempered his harsh words against Fascism with praise for Mussolini.
PHOTO: Pope Pius XI held the papacy from February 6, 1922 to February 10, 1939. His papacy spanned nearly the entire length of Fascist rule in Italy.
------ 1927 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 5, 1927
After attacks by fascists on Catholic Institutions, Mussolini declared “lawlessness, especially if directed against the representatives of foreign powers in Italy, must be repressed with an iron hand.” This declaration was an attempt to calm the violence against Catholic Institutions by Fascists in Italy.
October 13, 1927
Vatican demanded a new papal state. Through the Osservatore Romano, Pope Pius XI wanted to reestablish his temporal power, the church wanted its “territory” back. The Vatican wanted to reestablish that it was separate from Italy and the Vatican wanted the separation to apparent to the rest of the world. Before this from the Vatican, there was never an exact declaration to what was wanted. At the time Mussolini was expected to act on this “demand” from the Vatican. As the article said “we are on the eve of one of the most sensational developments in modern history.”
October 23, 1927
"ITALY STIRRED AGAIN BY THE 'ROMAN QUESTION'" – this New York Times article (below, right) gives a whole overview of the history between Italy and the Vatican.
ARTICLE: "Vatican Demands a New Papal State; Italy May Agree." Click to view PDF.
ARTICLE: "Italy Stirred Again by the 'Roman Question.' New Discussions Suggest the Possibilities of the Restoration of Temporal Power to the Pope – Premier Mussolini's Attitude Said to Be Favorable." The New York Times, Sunday, October 23, 1927. Click to view PDF.
------ 1928 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 11, 1928
The sign of real negotiations between the Vatican and Mussolini were taking place and were reported on this day. Father Tacchi-Venturi spearheaded the negotiations between the two sides. The reported bases of the accord would bring a solution to the “Roman question.” In the reports the Italian State would grant the Vatican an extension of its territory. Italy would also indemnify the Pope for losses sustained during the fall of his temporal power. The Pope would get paid 2,000,000,000 gold lire. The Vatican would receive their palaces back as well.
February 28, 1928
Father Tacchi-Venturi was stabbed by a youth in his home. Tacchi-Venturi was the key mediator between the Vatican and Mussolini helped talks progress just two weeks before the stabbing, he would survive the stabbing. Police determined that the stabbing had no significance political and was just a random affair.
March 27, 1928
After a few weeks of positive negotiations Pope Pius XI criticized Pro-Fascist Party, which was a major setback in negotiations. Pope Pius XI went on the offensive against the Fascists. The Pope criticized the Fascits for their “lukewarm allegiance to the Holy See.” Pope Pius XI also went after Catholic groups that put the Vatican on the same level as the Italian State. This was just another example of the Pope being the "top" anti-fascist.
March 29, 1928
Just two days after Pope Pius XI went on the offensive, Mussolini sent a veiled threat out which hinted at the suppression of all juveniles that were not under Fascist Control. The Catholic Boy Scouts were dissolved as a result of this threat.
April 15, 1928
The battle through the media continued as Mussolini declared that the prospect of an accord with the church was still wanted.
ARTICLE: "Italy to Indemnify Church, Rome Hears." Click to view PDF.
ARTICLE: "Pope Criticizes Pro-Fascist Party." Click to view PDF.
ARTICLE, LEFT: "Youth Attacks Father Tacchi-Venturi, Negotiator for Pope and Mussolini." Click to view PDF.
------ 1929 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMAGE: A souvenir celebrating the Lateran Accords.
January 29, 1929
Pope Pius XI and Mussolini met in person and an agreement was near.
February 7, 1929
Vatican accord with Italy announced. The Lateran Treaty was finally agreed upon. The Main points of the agreement were the following:
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Vatican Territory is to be enlarged only by two small areas surrounding the Vatican.
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The Vatican State receives the rights and immunities of an Independent State.
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Italian Government will pay the Vatican an indemnity of 2,000,000,000 Lire.
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Vatican delegates the job of administering justice in Vatican City to the Italian Government.
February 11, 1929
Vatican and Italy signed Lateran Treaty.
The Lateran Treaty was signed and the Pope’s “imprisonment” is officially over.
------ 1936 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1936, construction began on the Via della Conciliazione ("Street of Reconciliation"), a new road linking the Vatican to the center of Rome.
Construction of the Via della Conciliazione required the demolition of the Borgo Spina and eviction of thousands of Romans from their homes as part of the fascist restructuring of the city.
The Via della Conciliazione came to symbolize the new relationship between Church and the Fascist State.
PHOTO, RIGHT: A view down the Via della Conciliazione looking toward St. Peter's. Photo credit: Avery Enderle Wagner, 2014.
