The Pope's Legion: The Multinational Fighting Force that Defended the Vatican

by Charles A. Coulombe

With Arthurian grandeur the Papal Zouaves marched into Italy in the mid-nineteenth century, summoned by the Pope under siege as the Wars of the Risorgimento raged. Motivated by wanderlust, a sense of duty and the call of faith, some 20,000 Catholic men from around the world rallied to Vatican City to defend her gates against Sardinian marauders. Volunteers came from France, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Austria, and many other countries, including the United States. The battles that ensued lasted over 10 years, among a shifting array of allies and enemies and are among historyâ s most fascinating yet largely overlooked episodes. Napoleon, Pius IX, and Bismarck all make appearances in the story, but at the center were the Zouaves--steeped in a knightly code of honor, and unflinching in battle as any modern warrior--as the Church they vowed to defend to the death teetered at the brink of destruction.

Genres: History, Italy, Religion, 19th Century

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2008

About the author

Roy-Charles A. Coulombe is an American Catholic author, historian, and lecturer. Coulombe is known for his advocacy of monarchism.

Reviews

[Michael Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your house is being attacked by armed men, it is only natural to stand your ground and defend it. And if your neighbors come to your aid, the better.

During the Spanish Civil War, volunteers from around the world trooped to Spain to defend the Spanish Republic from right-wing rebels: they were called the International Brigades. But this international force was preceded by another multi-national group that rallied to the defense of the Catholic Church that was then being persecuted by Italians hiding under the guise of Italian unification.

The Pontifical Zouaves, as the volunteer force came to be known, were composed of Catholic volunteers from around the world, mostly from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and the United States. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned by their foes, the Zouaves proved their mettle in numerous clash-of-arms, notably their gallant defense of the town of Mentana, and earning for themselves the respect even of their enemies

Like the failure of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War to prevent the victory of Franco, the Zouaves also failed in their objective of defending the Papal States from being forcibly integrated in the unified Italy.

[Zbigniew Zdziarski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh! Talk about a dull book. So bland. Which is a shame because the topic is so fascinating! Did you know that the pope was once commander-in-chief of a pontifical army? The job of this army was to defend the Papal States, a vast territory in modern-day Italy that was a country in itself under the direct sovereign rule of the pope. The Papal States were finally conquered in 1870 and taken over by the Kingdom of Italy. Vatican City is all that remains (after the Lateran Treaty) of this "country". This book talks about the exploits of a regiment in the pontifical army called the Papal Zouves, whose purpose was to defend with their lives the pope and the Church's lands. Unfortunately, the author did not have the literary capabilities to make such an interesting topic a pleasure to read (whether you're a religious person or not). What has resulted is a textbook-like book that bombards you incessantly with dull numbers and facts one after another. Such a shame because, like I've said, the topic deserves more.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the ultramontanes fighting for the freedom of the Pope and the Catholic Church.

Mr Coulombe not only covers the years of warfare in Italy in which the Pope's Legions, the Papal Zouves, were the keys players, he also covers their history for monarchists and against even Arabs in Africa.

Very interesting and an easy read.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the Papal Zouaves, a force of staunchly Catholic men that came from all over the world to fight for the papal domain under Bl. Pius IX. This book contains the many heroic stories of what these men went through to defend the Church and the Papacy against radial revolutionaries. It is a must-read.

[Miccaeli · Rating 2 out of 5]

No map - the first of this books many crimes

[M2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just picked up my friend from Southern California, Charles Coloumbe's, new book, "The Pope's Legion: The Multinational Fighting Force that Defended the Vatican." It's about the all-but-forgotten history of a war that raged for a decade in the 19th century on the Italian peninsula before unification and the Zouave (look it up) soldiers who defended the Pope. It's not for everyone: Chas. is a Catholic writer (he writes often for the Vatican press and is a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Sebastian) and tends to write pretty glowingly about the Church and its officials, which some might not appreciate. But it's a good bit of history heretofore unknown to me, and it includes a colorful cast of adventurers. Military and religious history buffs will enjoy it and learn quite a lot about religious politics and military affairs in Europe in the mid-19th century. It is very well written and concise; Chas. wastes few words and the ones he employs always manage to hit the right tone.

[Danny Toma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book, good equally as an introduction for someone not aware of the background to Italian unification as it is for a long-time student of the matter. The fascinating story of this diverse band of soldiers, united in their Catholic faith and desire to protect the legitimate rights of the Pope is one that is seldom told. American students of the Civil War will also find interesting a cameo appearance by John Surratt, the one-time Confederate agent who was implicated, but never found guilty, in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. This work will hold one's attention, and is as suitable for a leisurely read in one's study as it is to a perusal under a beach umbrella.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thankfully, I read a separate book last year about Pius IX so I already had some knowledge about the zouaves and what was going on in this period because if I hadn't, I would have been absolutely lost. This book presupposes that you know a huge amount of the story already. There's so little explanation for anything that's going on. And just from a publishing standpoint, I can't remember the last time I read a book with so many grammatical mistakes, spelling errors etc.

I wouldn't recommend this for newcomers to the story. I would read other books first and then finish with this to learn a little more about specific members, if you were interested.

[Gilbert Acuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thunderous and Inspiring

I couldn’t put this book down and I was awed by the stories of these great heroes who fought and died for a cause. So touched was I by their story that I have resolved to live by their example and to help make their story known to the world.

(This book would make a very excellent movie or tv series!)

[Paul Wesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried reading. Only a few other times I would have rather lived during.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few interesting historical points. Makes strange mention of Puyi and the USSR.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the Middle Ages and the Protestant Reformation, many European powers sought control of the Papal States in Italy. The popes had small armies of Catholic faithful for their defense. The Papal Zouaves served in these armies. Under pope Pius IX , between 1850 and 1860, numerous forces invaded The Papal States in order to wrest these provinces from the Church as well as dictate how the Church would operate. I found this work very interesting, especially its close attention to many of the participants.

[Roger Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing Coulombe does so very well is to evoke how very different the past really was. That people could live - and die - for an entirely different dream than that of our soulless secular civilisation today.

Great book! Have a much longer review of it here with quotes :http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2011/...