By 1861, most of Italy was unified, although the church still held Rome and the lands surrounding it. The capital city was Florence. Victor Emanuel II was crowned king of the united country. However, the Italians wanted Rome - the "Eternal City" - to be their capital. Not until 1870, twelve years after Edgardo's capture, was it really possible to believe the papal town of Rome could become the capital of unified Italy.

In that year, Napoleon III made some disastrous mistakes and was deposed as emperor of France. When Napoleon fell, his troops withdrew from Rome. French troops who had maintained control in the Papal States were thrown out by the Italians. Papal power and canon law in most of Italy - including Rome - were near their end.

Pope Pius IX would not give up church territory without a fight. Without his French troops, however, the pontiff had little chance to prevail. Rome fell.

Although Victor Emanuel II did not send his troops into the Vatican, it was clear the days of widespread papal authority and the rule of church law were over. Ultimately, the church was left with just the Vatican state. (Follow these links to stunning views: the north view and the south view of the Vatican.)

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