On February 11, 1929, Italy and the Holy See signed the historic Lateran Treaty at the Apostolic Palace of the Lateran in Rome, leading to the establishment of Vatican City.
In 1870, the Kingdom of Italy completed the unification of Italy by seizing Rome. However, the Holy See refused to recognize this annexation and remained isolated within Vatican City, leading to prolonged tensions with the Italian government. This conflict, known as the Roman Question, became a major source of controversy in Italy and internationally.
The Lateran Treaty included several provisions to ensure the Holy See’s independence and sovereignty while resolving the Roman Question. These included the following: the Holy See would have an independent state known as Vatican City, the Pope would be recognized as the head of state of Vatican City and guaranteed full sovereignty, the Italian government would provide financial compensation to the Holy See to alleviate its economic difficulties, and Italy would guarantee the Catholic Church’s activities and recognize religious freedom.
The Lateran Treaty, signed by Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini and Pope Pius XI, was crucial in normalizing relations between the Italian government and the Holy See. It ended the conflict that had persisted since Italian unification. Additionally, it established Vatican City as an independent nation, solidifying its status as the center of the Catholic Church.
The treaty significantly impacted Italian politics and society. The Catholic Church’s influence grew within Italian society, while the Italian government benefited from political stability through cooperation with the Holy See. The Italian government further elevated the Church’s status by recognizing Catholicism as the state religion and ensuring the Church’s freedom of operation.
Some critics argue that the Holy See compromised with Mussolini’s fascist regime in signing the treaty. However, the agreement ultimately resolved the longstanding conflict between the Holy See and the Italian government. Even today, the Lateran Treaty continues to shape the relationship between Italy and Vatican City.