alternatehistory.com

I understand that among the documents of Pius IX recently released by the Vatican was a letter to Jefferson Davis addressing him as a legitimate head of state. Why it didn't come to light before this, I can't address--but it didn't. Suppose, however, it had been known contemporarily; i.e., during the Civil War? What would have been the effects of the Holy See in effect recognizing the legitimacy of the Confederacy, both in Europe and in North America?
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