ABSTRACT
Background: the consequences of the 'Roman Question9
The role of the Catholic Church in Italian politics, and in a longer historical perspective its contribution to the overall political development of the Italian peninsula, has always been determined by a factor missing in every other Catholic country - the presence of the Papacy. Given that presence, the Catholic Church in Italy speaks with a greater and more direct authority than elsewhere, for its head is no mere cardinal primate, but the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ himself, and as the infallible head of the Catholic Church throughout the World, the Pope is able to make use of the enormous international prestige and influence which goes with the office in his dealings with the Italian State.
