Lateran Treaty

Group of Vatican and Italian government notables posing at the Lateran Palace before the signing of the treaty

Lateran Treaty

The Lateran Treaty, also known as the Lateran Pact of 1929, is a pivotal agreement that was signed on 11 February 1929, marking a significant reconciliation between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See. This treaty resolved the "Roman Question," which had been a contentious issue since the capture of Rome by the forces of the Kingdom of Italy in 1870. The agreement was named after the Lateran Palace, where the treaty was signed, and it consisted of three main documents: a political treaty, a financial convention, and a concordat.

Background

The Roman Question emerged from the conflict over the Papal States, which had been a large part of central Italy and were ruled directly by the Pope. The unification of Italy in the 19th century led to the annexation of the Papal States, culminating in the capture of Rome in 1870. The Popes refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Kingdom of Italy's rule over the former Papal territories, leading to a standoff that lasted nearly 60 years. During this period, the Popes considered themselves prisoners within the Vatican.

Terms of the Treaty

The Lateran Treaty included several key provisions that addressed the main points of contention:

• Recognition of the Vatican City as an independent sovereign state, giving the Holy See full ownership and exclusive dominion over the Vatican, thereby ensuring its political and spiritual independence.
• The Italian government agreed to give the Holy See financial compensation for the loss of the Papal States, amounting to 750 million lire in cash and 1 billion lire in government bonds.
• The concordat established Catholicism as the state religion of Italy, regulating the conditions of the church in Italy, including religious education in schools and the recognition of religious marriages.
• The treaty included a clause that prohibited the clergy from participating in politics, aiming to ensure the separation of church and state.

Impact

The Lateran Treaty had a profound impact on both Italy and the Holy See. It resolved a longstanding conflict, allowing the Pope to exercise sovereignty within the Vatican City and ensuring the Catholic Church's prominent role in Italian society. The agreement also facilitated a better relationship between Italy and the Holy See, which had been strained since the annexation of the Papal States.

For Italy, the treaty legitimized the Italian state in the eyes of the Catholic Church and its followers, consolidating national unity. Internationally, the creation of Vatican City as an independent state improved the Holy See's ability to act as a neutral party in diplomatic affairs, enhancing its international standing.

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite its success in resolving the Roman Question, the Lateran Treaty has faced criticism. Some argue that it compromised the principle of secularism by recognizing Catholicism as the state religion and allowing the Church significant influence in public education and other areas of public life. Others contend that the financial compensation to the Holy See was excessive.

Legacy

The Lateran Treaty remains a fundamental part of the relationship between Italy and the Holy See. It was later incorporated into the Italian Constitution in 1948, underscoring its importance to Italian national identity and governance. The treaty has been modified by subsequent agreements, most notably the 1984 Concordat, which revised the relationship between the church and the Italian state, including the removal of Catholicism as the state religion.

The Lateran Treaty is a landmark in the history of church-state relations, serving as a model for similar agreements between the Catholic Church and other states. Its legacy continues to influence discussions on the role of religion in public life and the balance between religious authority and state sovereignty.