alternatehistory.com

n June 16, 1846 Cardinal Giovanni Mastai Ferretti, was elected to the papacy as Pope Pius IX. Known by the general public as a liberal, his selection inspired great hope within Italian nationalist and political liberals. To the horror of conservatives and the Austrian monarchy, he immediately began wide scale reform of the Papal State and her government. This included pardoning hundreds of political prisoners, increasing popular influence in government and modernizing the economy. His efforts garnered applause in New York, Berlin and London and he became one of the most popular rulers in Europe.

However, progress was slow and nationalists became disenchanted with Pius when he refused to lead an Italian war of liberation against Habsburg Austria, because it was a Catholic stronghold. Encouraged by the Revolution in France, riots broke out across Rome. A series of terrorist attacks forced Pius to flee Rome and lead to the assassination of his Minister of the Interior.

The events of 1848 in Rome caused Pius to become disillusioned with liberalism and Italian nationalism as a whole. When he eventually did return to Rome, his views had done a complete 180. He became incredibly conservative and refused to acknowledge Italian nationalism in any form. He scrapped his plans for a Constitution for the Papal State and continued to rule until his death.

So what if the revolt in Rome is less severe and Pius retains his liberal and nationalistic sympathies?
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