The Church and the Secular State

The Concordat of 1801: On the Occasion of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Death of Pope Pius VII

Abstract

The history of the relationship between Pope Pius VII and Napoleon Bonaparte, from the political aspect, as well as their personal relationship, is an interesting topic for both historians and novelists, for psychologists, and sociologists; moreover, there is a hagiographic side to their relationship, namely the relationship between persecutor and persecuted. The ensuing text will focus mainly on the key event of the liaison between these two protagonists which was broken due to the signing (and implementation) of the Concordat of 1801. This event — a dry diplomatic act — is most certainly an introduction to a new page in the life of the Church in post–revolutionary Europe and the world. In this respect, tribute should be paid to Pope Pius VII.