Claims Against the Catholic Church

[JMadonna]

(11-24-2012 12:46 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I have only a smattering of knowledge on the warring of Italian states that was going on at the same time that the U.S. was in Civil War, but it doesn't seem to me that Pope Pius IX had extra time on his hands to plot the overthrow of the U.S. government.

Pius IX was very concerned that Napoleon III would withdraw troops from Vatican City which was the only force between the city and the revolutionaries. Many Catholics were concerned (including John Surratt) and volunteered to help protect the Pope. Seward made a secret agreement with the Pope that the U.S. would grant him asylum in America if he needed to flee the country and kept a ship stationed close by for that purpose.

Good thing it wasn't necessary otherwise we'd have had a religious based war in this country. As it was it helped pave the way for Surratt's extradition even though Andrew Johnson didn't want him returned.