The Papal States were a series of territories in central Italy that were under the direct rule of the Pope from the 8th century until the 19th century. These lands included cities like Rome, Ravenna, and Bologna, and they played a significant role in the political and religious landscape of Europe. The Pope not only served as a spiritual leader but also as a temporal ruler, influencing both local and international affairs. In 1870, the Papal States were incorporated into the newly unified Kingdom of Italy, marking the end of papal temporal power. This event led to a significant change in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Italian state. The Pope retreated to the Vatican, which remains