The Holy See's policy in Spain in 1832-1835: between Carlists and Cristinos

Abstract

The present article studies some aspects of foreign policy of the Holy See in Spain during the First Carlist War (1833-40). The paper is based on materials from Vatican secret archives (Secretariat of state archives, international policy fund). Some previous investigations in that field are shown and discussed. Letters of the apostolic nuncio in Spain in 18271833 F. Tiberi and of the nuncio in 18331835 (not recognized by the Spanish government) L. Amat to the secretary of state cardinal T. Bernetti are studied. The attitude of the Pope's representatives towards the Carlist movement is shown. The article states that F. Tiberi was against the direct interference of the Holy See in the war in Spain. L. Amat sympathized with the Carlists, but did not believe in their victory. Therefore, he considered that the Holy See should not officially recognize neither side of the conflict. After the suppression of the Society of Jesus in Spain in July 1835, the nuncio was recalled from Madrid. The diplomatic relations between the liberal government in Madrid and the Holy See were broken. The break of relations led to negative consequences for the positions of Church in Spain.