Neo-Guelph
As Neoguelfen followers of a predominantly Catholic political movement are referred to in 19th century Italy. They were based on contemporary liberalism. Their goal was, the Risorgimento, that is, the unification of Italy, not to carry out in opposition to the Catholic Church, but in working with her.
The term Neoguelfismus is similar to that of the Guelfs. The Guelphs were the 13th and 14th centuries as a follower of the Pope - in contrast to the emperor and his followers, the Ghibellines. The ideological opponent of Neoguelfen are referred to in this context as Neoghibellinen.
As a precursor to their efforts saw the Secretary of State Cardinal Ercole Consalvi Neoguelfen who had modernized the administration of the Papal States in the era of restoration and had too archaic restoration efforts rejected on the part of other employees Curia.
In his work Del primato morale e civile degli italiani 1843 Vincenzo Gioberti has formulated the theoretical foundations of Neoguelfismus. The program of the Neoguelfismus aimed at the achievement of Italian unification on the basis of a confederate structure of the existing monarchical states under the centralized leadership of the Pope. This demand has been accompanied by an effort by the increasing liberalization and democratization of the Church, the establishment of a federal system and its emphasis on the autonomy of the individual States. Giobertis work here pointed out parallels to Antonio Rosmini's writings. Due to the strong orientation towards ecclesiastical dominance on the one hand and the radical reform program on the other hand, both the anti-clerical party and conservative circles in the Curia Giobertis refused to work. Cardinal Secretary of State Luigi Lambruschini forbade its distribution in the Papal States. On the other hand, it found a large echo in many parts of the Italian population, including the future Pope Pius IX. was impressed. Elements of Neoguelfismus can still be found even in Niccolò Tommaseo, Cesare Balbo, Gino Capponi and Carlo Troya.
Nevertheless, it was also the change to the See of Peter - Pius IX. took office in 1846 - does not help the Neoguelfismus breakthrough. This was taken up with a reform program. This aroused among the Neoguelfen who had now arrived at the height of its influence, the hope of a liberal Pope could use their movement. Pius IX. rejected the idea that the papacy could be linked to the office of Head of State of Italy, but from. The present research evaluated the liberalism of the early pontificate of Pius IX. because even with some ambivalence. To a large part in it reflects rather an expectation on the part of the Italians and less an actual conviction of the Pope. In addition also comes that the reform efforts in the first two years of the pontificate of considerable resistance have been hampered by the Curia, which Pius IX 's reputation. as liberals additionally reinforced. 1848, put Pius IX. first concessions to the demands for reform, which culminated in the proclamation of the Roman Republic. But he supported Piedmont, which intervened on the side of the Lombard rebels against Austria to arms, not what the neoguelfische movement disillusioned. During the Revolution year, it became increasingly more that Pius IX. had undergone a change of course, so that when the founding of the Kingdom of Italy Church and the Papal States were not involved. The opposition of the Pope against the Italian unification finally led to the forced integration of the papal territories and the 60th years of conflict between the Kingdom of Italy and the Papal States.