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AI Overview: Accusations of madness and sedevacantism The unprecedented imprisonment of the pope and the perceived concessions of the concordats led some French Catholics to question Pius VII's mental state and the validity of his pontificate. "Madness" and apostasy: The intense psychological pressure Pius VII was under, combined with his apparent compromises with the "apostate" French government, led some to sincerely believe he had gone mad. Sedevacantists: The term "sedevacantism" (from sede vacante, meaning "the chair being vacant") came into use later, but the sentiment existed during this period. The quotation suggests that some extreme factions believed the papal throne was vacant and discussed electing a new pope. This was a radical rejection of Pius VII's authority, though a minority position. The majority of the church, even those critical of Pius VII, did not endorse such a schismatic course.

The quotes and events described relate to the deep controversy and distrust caused by Pope Pius VII's dealings with Napoleon Bonaparte, who many devout French Catholics saw as an enemy of the church
. The Pope's efforts to end the post-Revolutionary religious conflict through the Concordat of 1801 and his subsequent concessions to Napoleon provoked outrage and accusations of apostasy. 
The Concordat of 1801
  • A compromise of principles: Following the French Revolution's persecution of the church, Pius VII signed the Concordat of 1801 with Napoleon, who was then First Consul. The agreement reestablished Catholicism in France, but at a high cost to papal authority.
  • State control: Under the Concordat and the unilateral "Organic Articles" Napoleon attached to it, the French government was given the right to nominate bishops, controlled church finances, and the clergy had to swear an oath of loyalty to the state.
  • Confiscated property: The pope was also forced to accept the permanent loss of vast church lands confiscated and sold during the Revolution.
  • Condemnation of Pius VII: To many loyal Catholics, Pius VII had compromised too much with the revolutionary principles they abhorred, earning him the verse: "To keep the See, Pius VII lost his faith". 
Napoleon's increasing pressure on the Pope
The concordat did not end Napoleon's demands. He increasingly viewed the pope as a vassal and sought total control over the church. 
  • Coronation of 1804: At his imperial coronation, Napoleon arranged for Pius VII to attend, but then famously crowned himself, a deliberate humiliation that demonstrated the emperor's worldly power.
  • Invasion and imprisonment: When Pius VII refused to join Napoleon's alliance against Great Britain, French troops invaded the Papal States in 1808. After the pope excommunicated him, Napoleon had Pius arrested and imprisoned in 1809, first in Italy and later in France.
  • The 1813 Concordat of Fontainebleau: Through a week of psychological manipulation and abuse while the pope was his prisoner, Napoleon forced Pius to sign a new, more restrictive concordat. The pope soon retracted his signature, but not before the damage was done. 
The quotes and events described relate to the deep controversy and distrust caused by Pope Pius VII's dealings with Napoleon Bonaparte, who many devout French Catholics saw as an enemy of the church
. The Pope's efforts to end the post-Revolutionary religious conflict through the Concordat of 1801 and his subsequent concessions to Napoleon provoked outrage and accusations of apostasy. 
The Concordat of 1801
  • A compromise of principles: Following the French Revolution's persecution of the church, Pius VII signed the Concordat of 1801 with Napoleon, who was then First Consul. The agreement reestablished Catholicism in France, but at a high cost to papal authority.
  • State control: Under the Concordat and the unilateral "Organic Articles" Napoleon attached to it, the French government was given the right to nominate bishops, controlled church finances, and the clergy had to swear an oath of loyalty to the state.
  • Confiscated property: The pope was also forced to accept the permanent loss of vast church lands confiscated and sold during the Revolution.
  • Condemnation of Pius VII: To many loyal Catholics, Pius VII had compromised too much with the revolutionary principles they abhorred, earning him the verse: "To keep the See, Pius VII lost his faith". 
Napoleon's increasing pressure on the Pope
The concordat did not end Napoleon's demands. He increasingly viewed the pope as a vassal and sought total control over the church. 
  • Coronation of 1804: At his imperial coronation, Napoleon arranged for Pius VII to attend, but then famously crowned himself, a deliberate humiliation that demonstrated the emperor's worldly power.
  • Invasion and imprisonment: When Pius VII refused to join Napoleon's alliance against Great Britain, French troops invaded the Papal States in 1808. After the pope excommunicated him, Napoleon had Pius arrested and imprisoned in 1809, first in Italy and later in France.
  • The 1813 Concordat of Fontainebleau: Through a week of psychological manipulation and abuse while the pope was his prisoner, Napoleon forced Pius to sign a new, more restrictive concordat. The pope soon retracted his signature, but not before the damage was done. 
Accusations of madness and sedevacantism
The unprecedented imprisonment of the pope and the perceived concessions of the concordats led some French Catholics to question Pius VII's mental state and the validity of his pontificate.
  • "Madness" and apostasy: The intense psychological pressure Pius VII was under, combined with his apparent compromises with the "apostate" French government, led some to sincerely believe he had gone mad.
  • Sedevacantists: The term "sedevacantism" (from sede vacante, meaning "the chair being vacant") came into use later, but the sentiment existed during this period. The quotation suggests that some extreme factions believed the papal throne was vacant and discussed electing a new pope. This was a radical rejection of Pius VII's authority, though a minority position. The majority of the church, even those critical of Pius VII, did not endorse such a schismatic course. 

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