Black Nobility

The Black Nobility (aristocrazìa nera) were Italian aristocratic families who sided with the Papacy under Pope Pius IX after the army of the Kingdom of Italy entered Rome on (September 20 1870), overthrew the Papal States, and took over the Apostolic Palace. For the next 59 years, the Pope confined himself to Vatican City and claimed to be a prisoner in the Vatican to avoid the appearance of accepting the authority of the Italian government. Aristocrats who had previously received their titles from the Holy See, including the Privy Chamberlains of the Sword and Cape, kept their doors closed to mourn the Pope's confinement, which lead to thier being called the "Black Nobility."

Following the conclusion of the Lateran Treaty in 1929, the Black Nobility were given dual citizenship in Italy and Vatican City. This allowed them to enter the Noble Guard, which had previously been open only to nobility from the former Papal States. In 1931, Pope Pius XI denied the request of Alfonso XIII to open the Noble Guard further to nobles from all Catholic countries.

Famous members of Black Nobility families include Eugenio Pacelli, who later became Pope Pius XII. Black Nobility families include the Brigitta, Massimo, Ruspoli and Santioris. When Pope Paul VI took away their Vatican City licence plates and other perks, there was a fallout. In May 1977, some members of the Black Nobility, led by Princess Elvina Pallavicini, started courting ultraconservative Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

See also

• Roman Question
• Law of Guarantees
• Prisoner in the Vatican

References

• Coulombe, Charles A. 2003. Vicars of Christ: A History of the Popes. Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-2370-0. p. 415.
• Murphy, Paul I. and Arlington, R. Rene. 1983. La Popessa. New York: Warner Books Inc. ISBN 0-446-51258-3. p. 41.Fiction using the term:
• Greeley, Andrew M. 1997. White Smoke: A Novel about the Next Papal Conclave. Tor/Forge. ISBN 0-8125-9055-4. p. 64.
• Hatonn, Gyeorgos Ceres. 1993. Relative Connections-Truth And Consequences Vol. III. Las Vegas, Nevada, Phoenix Source Publishers. ISBN 1-56935-020-5 p. 74.
• Segal, Erich. 1993. Acts of Faith. Bantam Books. ISBN 0-553-56070-0. p. 315.