Glen
Moderator
The arrival of troops from Naples, France, and even a small contingent from Spain to the city of Rome proved a complication for the nascent Roman Republic. Spain was most concerned with the restoration of the new Pope to his proper dignities in the Holy City and the Papal States. The Neapolitans were much more concerned about the Austrians to the north and vacillated between wanting strong Roman state as a buffer and ally, or annexing the territory in part or whole to stave off the Austrians doing otherwise. The French were more nuanced in their approach, and served as broker between the Romans, the Papacy, and the other states with an interest there who were at least partly aligned with France, though also following their own agenda. Of course, France was also the strongest power in the region, if a bit distracted by the events to the north.
In the end, the French brokered a compromise agreement that if not pleasing to any side, met the basic needs of all sides. The Roman Republic would continue, but with the Pope as the Head of State and with recognition of the church's possessions and supremacy over the Vatican itself, as well as the continuation of Church Law with respect to the clergy, though not the laity. However, there would be a popularly elected legislature, from which a secular Prime Minister would be chosen who would be the Chief Executive of the Republic. The Code Napoleon would become the law of the land for the people. A special commission would be established to develop a procedure for legal cases involving both clergy and laity. Catholicism would be the official religion of the nation, but freedom of conscience would be respected and religion would not be a bar to enfranchisement nor to holding secular office (even Prime Minister). While there were many other details to be worked out, this formed the basics of the agreement that brought Pius back to the Vatican, although it was commonly rumored that if the Austrians were to break through to Rome, the pope would repudiate the agreement. Austria, of course, was livid about the deal.
Flag of the Roman Republic after the Compromise of 1850:
In the end, the French brokered a compromise agreement that if not pleasing to any side, met the basic needs of all sides. The Roman Republic would continue, but with the Pope as the Head of State and with recognition of the church's possessions and supremacy over the Vatican itself, as well as the continuation of Church Law with respect to the clergy, though not the laity. However, there would be a popularly elected legislature, from which a secular Prime Minister would be chosen who would be the Chief Executive of the Republic. The Code Napoleon would become the law of the land for the people. A special commission would be established to develop a procedure for legal cases involving both clergy and laity. Catholicism would be the official religion of the nation, but freedom of conscience would be respected and religion would not be a bar to enfranchisement nor to holding secular office (even Prime Minister). While there were many other details to be worked out, this formed the basics of the agreement that brought Pius back to the Vatican, although it was commonly rumored that if the Austrians were to break through to Rome, the pope would repudiate the agreement. Austria, of course, was livid about the deal.
Flag of the Roman Republic after the Compromise of 1850: