It seems that the discussions between the Vatican and the
Fascist Government in regard to the temporal demands of the Papacy have once more broken down. There has been no rupture, but merely a failure to agree. All that can be said is that, if the negotiations are taken up again, the two sides will be rather less far apart than they used to be. In any case, the absence of the old bitterness only accords with modern facts. Ever since 1870 the Vatican has been steadily allowing time to soothe its sense of grievance. When Victor Emmanuel clipped the wings of the Papacy the Vatican treated the Italian Government, established in Rome, as though it did not exist ; but common sense proved gradually that the Pope could not rule spiritually while quite detached from the national life. Of course, the Vatican has not been demanding the complete restitution of the temporal power, but even the modicum asked for has been rejected. It is perhaps as well for the spiritual health of Papacy that this has happened.
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