Vatican I

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In 1869, around seven hundred Catholic bishops convened in Rome for the first church-wide council in three centuries, following the upheaval of the French Revolution. Pope Pius IX aimed to restore the church's authority by declaring papal infallibility, igniting intense conflicts that threatened schism. As Italian forces under Garibaldi encroached on the Papal States, the legitimacy of the council came into question. Figures like Gladstone and Bismarck became involved, and as the church's temporal power diminished, it became increasingly centered on the papacy, leading to enduring consequences. John W. O'Malley vividly captures the debates surrounding infallibility, highlighting the profound changes initiated by the council that continue to influence the lives of Catholics today. His scholarship invites readers to understand modern Catholicism as deeply shaped by the legacy of Pius IX. Praised for his gripping narrative and masterful account, O'Malley engages readers with a history that remains relevant, completing his trilogy on church councils and providing insights into both the past and the contemporary church.