Even though it is true that Napoleon had Pope Pius VII arrested and placed under house arrest (first in Savona, Italy, and then in Fontainebleau, near to Paris), nevertheless Napoleon did not actually have a bad personal relationship with the head of the Roman Catholic church. He knew that this Pope was relatively open to the new ideas of the French Revolution but also happy to see the restoration of the Roman Catholic church in France after the French Revolution. Their difference of opinion concerned the role of that ecclesiastical institution within the organisation of the State and the positions of the Papal State within the parts of Europe under French rule. Hence, since this Pope practiced both dialogue and forgiveness, whilst at the same time giving no ground whatsoever regarding his institutional ideas and regarding his determination to preserve the “legacy of Saint Peter” so as to hand it over intact to his successors, the two men held many long conversations which, despite never leading to any real compromise, did not however affect their mutual esteem. Indeed, after the fall of the Empire, Pius VII generously welcomed members of the Bonaparte family to Rome. Furthermore, he was the only sovereign to intercede publicly for more leniency towards Napoleon on St Helena.
Bullet Point #22 – Did Napoleon and Pope Pius VII hate each other?
Author(s) : LENTZ Thierry
Each “Bullet Point” will confront a question related to the First Empire. My remarks are designed to form the basis for debate and, I hope, research.
(Thierry Lentz, February 2019, translation RY)
National Gallery of Ireland