tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post319924132678230592..comments2024-03-16T01:00:19.876-05:00Comments on The Mad Monarchist: Papal Profile: Pope Pius VIIMadMonarchisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083008336883267870noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post-64055515463455793632010-08-25T18:28:32.294-05:002010-08-25T18:28:32.294-05:00I'll be devils advocate for Napoleon I. . .the...I'll be devils advocate for Napoleon I. . .the Papal States were a big hole in the Continental System. The Emperor pushed the Pope, but His Holiness (or rather, Cardinal Pacca, the Principal Secretary of State) pushed right back. The irresistable force met the immovable object and Pius VII wound up under arrest.<br /><br />I'm not sure I buy it, but some pro-Napoleon historians have claimed General Radet exceeded his instructions when he arrested the Pope. The claim is that the Emperor wanted Cardinal Pacca and some of the Curia arrested, but Radet went further, and the Emperor had to back up his man or look the fool. I can't imagine anybody making Napoleon I look the fool (well, okay, women maybe) but the whole business was such a uncharacteristic political blunder for the Emperor that one wonders.El Jefe Maximohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14661511063910659377noreply@blogger.com