I cattolici, il Risorgimento e l’Italia Liberale

This essay explores the origins of the complex relationship between Church and State in Italy. The author traces the historical and politicai context and analyzes the various phases of the slow process of interpénétration between Catholics and Lib érais in the life of the new State: from the absolute intransigence of dawn of Unity, to the early loosening of the opposition at the turn of the twentieth Century, to the struc turing of an autonomous presence of Catholics in politics, followed by the final set tlement of 1929. From his analysis is cruciai the weight of historical contingencies in the évolution of relations between Church and State.