In 1809, Napoleon seized the Papal States and later kidnapped the Pope
Napoleon Bonaparte's 1809 annexation of the Papal States sparked a dramatic religious conflict that ended with the Emperor excommunicated and the Pope held as a prisoner in France.
In May 1809, Emperor Napoleon I issued a decree officially annexing the Papal States into the French Empire. Driven by a desire to enforce his Continental Blockade against Britain, Napoleon stripped Pope Pius VII of all temporal power. When the Pope responded by excommunicating the Emperor, French officers took the bold step of kidnapping the Pontiff from the Quirinal Palace.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz