Italy is FAKE: The Story of the 9th Crusade and the Papal Zouaves

Avoiding Babylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!

Ever wondered how a group of fervent Catholic soldiers, known as the Papal Zouaves, played a pivotal role in the turbulent unification of Italy? Join us as we sit down with Brendan, the passionate founder of Papal Zouave International, who shares his intriguing journey from a soldier to a history aficionado dedicated to preserving this unique chapter of Catholic military history.
In our exploration, we uncover the heroic efforts of the Papal Zouaves in safeguarding the temporal rights of the pope against the advancing forces of Piedmont-Sardinia. Their determination, seen as part of the ninth crusade, provides a lens into the broader conflict of Italian unification, highlighting the moral dilemmas faced by the Catholic Church. Through historical contexts such as the Battle of Castelfidardo and the Siege of Rome, Brendan brings to life the strategic struggles and poignant moments of resistance that defined this era. We also discuss the impact of Piedmontese policies on Southern Italy, shedding light on Neapolitan heritage and significant emigration trends.
The discussion doesn't stop at history. Imagine a modern-day Crusade—who would answer the call? We delve into this hypothetical scenario, while also examining how military technology evolved within the Papal States. Brendan’s dedication to historical research and future projects, including republishing works and creating comprehensive biographies, underscores his commitment to preserving this legacy. Tune in for a captivating blend of historical insights, personal anecdotes, and passionate storytelling about the Papal Zouaves and their enduring impact on Italian history.

Support the Show.

********************************************************
https://www.avoidingbabylon.com
Merchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.com
Locals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.com
RSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss
SpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylon
Odysee: https://odysee.com/@AvoidingBabylon

Chapters

1. Italy is FAKE: The Story of the 9th Crusade and the Papal Zouaves (00:00:00)

2. Papal Zouaves in Italian History (00:00:25)

3. Catholics and Italian Counter-Revolution (00:10:11)

4. The Papal Army and Italian Unification (00:26:25)

5. The Battle of Castelfidardo (00:38:59)

6. Resurgence of Papal Army in 1860s (00:49:37)

7. Siege of Rome and Papal Surrender (01:00:22)

8. Modern-Day Thoughts on Papal Army (01:13:44)

9. Historical Research and Future Projects (01:26:12)