Austria; and this prince, relying on the support of
France, consented to ascend the throne of the Montezumas. Before crossing
the seas, Prince Maximilian came, together with his wife, the Princess
Charlotte of Belgium, to Rome, in order to beg the prayers, the wise
counsel and the apostolic benediction of the venerable Pontiff. So desired
the new Emperor to inaugurate a reign which, it was hoped, would be great
and prosperous. The Holy Father, at the solemn moment of communion, spoke
to the Prince of Him by whom kings reign and the framers of laws decree
just things. In the name of this King of kings, he recommended to him the
Catholic nation of Mexico, reminding him, at the same time, that he was,
under God, the constituted protector of the rights of the people as well
as those of the church. The Emperor and his youthful spouse were moved to
tears; and Maximilian, on leaving Rome, declared that he departed under
the protection of God, and with the benediction of the Holy Pontiff. "I am
confident, therefore," he added, "that I shall be able to fulfil my great
mission to Mexico."

Unfortunately for him, however, liberalism, or, rather, ill-disguised
socialism, was enthroned, for the moment, in what was destined to be, for
a little while longer, the chief seat of European Power. It is not
difficult to imagine whence counsel proceeded, and the inexperienced
Emperor came to believe that Mexico might be governed as France was,
whilst its ruler thwarted the will of the great majority of her people. He
may not, indeed, have been free to reject the advice which swayed him. Be
this as it may, he most unwisely cast himself into the arms of the party
to whom monarchy and religion were alike hateful. He now framed a
Concordat which, whilst it could not be acceptable to his new friends, was
far from being such as the Pope could ratify. The revolutionary party had
gained the new Emperor.

(M96) The Holy Father, ever anxious to promote the well-being of the
church, sent a nuncio to Maximilian, in order to remind him of his
promises, and induce him to abolish the laws that had been enacted for the
purpose of oppressing the church, and completely to reorganize
ecclesiastical affairs with the full concurrence of the Holy See. The
letter borne by the nuncio required that the Catholic religion should
continue to be the stay and glory of the Mexican nation; that the bishops
should be entirely free in the exercise of their pastoral ministry;