Papal-Biellan Alliance

Pope Pius IX was a man starkly different to his predecessors. Firstly, he lacked the fiery zeal and passion that had come to characterise Papal leaders, instead having a reserved, quiet personality which many mistook for coldness. His rule had also seen a major policy shift in which the Pope's interests changed from mainly spiritual (The Catholic Church) to mainly temporal (The Papal States). This was a necessary, if controversial idea- it was an increasingly secular and irreligious world, and enemies of the Holy Cross would respond more readily to bullets than to excommunication. A prime example of this was in the recent agreement to enter into an alliance with L'iao Biella. Just a few decades ago socialising with a largely Muslim nation would have been unthinkable, but now the Papal population and government were beginning to realise that prejudice, or at least religious prejudice, was unprofitable in the world of international diplomacy.

Despite this, Pius was apprehensive about the meeting. He was ill-schooled in Biellan culture and could easily make crucial mistakes. Furthermore, he was unsure if his people would be supportive in the various public displays of unity that were planned. However, he was certain that he was acting in the best interests for his country and his church, and knew that the alliance made would ensure that his people remained at the forefront of international politics.

ooc: i'll RP this on the weekend. busy week at work. written some of the rp already.