Vatican Independence

 February 11, 1929: Vatican Independence

In the Italian unification movement of 1870, the fiefdoms of the church leaders were incorporated into Italian territory. However, the Roman Catholic church did not accept this and a conflict arose between the church and the Italian monarchy which was eventually resolved by the Lateran treaty.

The treaty was signed by Cardinal Gaspari representing Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini representing King Victor Emmanuel III. In this agreement, Italy recognized a new state called Vatican City which was sovereign and independent. Italy also guaranteed public services in Vatican City. This Lateran Treaty is still recognized even though after World War II the Italian royal system ended and turned into a Republic.