Catholic Nations and Roman Papacy: Reflexions on the Foundations of a Modern Nationalist Culture in the Nineteenth Century

This article aims to analyse the emergence and development of the idea of a "Catholic nation" in nineteenth-century Europe. In doing so, it places the history of Catholic nationalism within the framework of the new political and cultural landscape that emerged from the revolutions of the eighteenth century and the creation of a society of masses. In this way, the "Catholic nation" is interpreted as a cultural artefact that incorporates the transition of sovereignty from kings to peoples in a confessional and identitarian manner, adopting morphological characteristics developed over the course of the century. Since the Papacy played a decisive role in guiding the cultural and political activity of Catholic movements during the nineteenth century, special attention will be given to the relationship between this new culture and the Roman pontificate.