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

by Coulombe, Charles A.

• ISBN13: 9780230617568
• ISBN10: 0230617565
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-11-24
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary

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 history'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.

Author Biography

Charles A. Coulombe is a historian and commentator in both Catholic and secular arenas. Commended by Pope John Paul II for his book Vicars of Christ: A History of the Popes, he provided narration for ABC News during the funeral of John Paul II and the election and installation of Benedict XVI. He is the author several books including a five-volume history of the United States for Catholic readers. Former Contributing Editor of the National Catholic Register, Coulombe won the Christian Law Institute's Christ King Journalism Award in 1992. He lives in Los Angeles.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. iv
Introduction	p. 1
Prelude	p. 9
A Gathering of Heroes	p. 15
The Crusaders Arrive	p. 41
Baptism of Fire	p. 63
The Watchful Peace	p. 91
Garibaldi's Last Throw	p. 115
To the Porta Pia!	p. 141
Same Foe, Different Field	p. 167
Viva Il Papa-Re!	p. 195
Songs of the Zouaves	p. 219
Zouave Sites	p. 228
Mass in Memory of the Pope's Soldiers	p. 237
Notes	p. 243
Bibliography	p. 246
Index	p. 249
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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