Pope Pius XI

Question 1

Why did the appointment of a new pope benefit fascism?

Answer 1

• Pope’s policy toward fascism differed considerably from his predecessor

Question 2

What were the pope’s main concerns and beliefs?

Answer 2

• Concerned with the communist threat in Italy
• Believed that the support of fascism was the only means Italy could be saved by left-wing revolution

Question 3

Mussolini responded positively to this message and attempted to please the pope and Vatican by:

Answer 3

• Religious education was reintroduced into Italian schools
• Priests had an increase in pay
• Banned anticlerical journals

Question 4

How were Mussolini’s policies accepted?

Answer 4

• Widely, Mussolini viewed as popular for attempting to unite Catholicism and Fascism - improved public image

Question 5

How did the close relationship with the church help Mussolini politically?

Answer 5

• Helped undermine the PPI
• Pius XI put his support behind the PNF

Question 6

How did the Pope individually aid the campaign?

Answer 6

• Prestigious reputation helped Mussolini out of many troublesome situations which could have destroyed the campaign
• E.g. Mateotti Crisis