**Breaking News: The Forgotten British Soldiers Who Fought for the Papal Army (1861-1870)**
In a poignant reflection on history, the recent passing of Pope Francis has reignited interest in a remarkable yet overlooked chapter of military history: the British soldiers who fought for the Papal Army during the tumultuous years of the Italian Risorgimento. Between 1861 and 1870, a small band of Englishmen, known as the Papal Zouaves, exchanged the crown of Queen Victoria for the Cross and Keys of Pope Pius IX, driven by faith and a sense of duty in a battle against the tide of modernity.
As Italy unified under Victor Emmanuel II, the Papacy found itself besieged and in dire need of defenders. With the French withdrawal looming, Pius IX turned to the Papal Zouaves—Catholic volunteers from across Europe, including over 300 British and Irish men. These brave souls faced not only the threat of battle but also societal scorn for their allegiance to a foreign power, as British law prohibited joining foreign armies.
On November 3, 1867, the Zouaves faced Garibaldi’s Redshirts in a fierce clash at the Battle of Mentana. The Papal forces, though outnumbered, fought valiantly, with British Zouaves charging into the fray, their cries of “Viva il Papa Re!” echoing through the vineyards of Lazio. This battle marked the last military victory for an army fighting for the Pope, solidifying the Zouaves’ place in history, albeit largely forgotten.
The tragic loss of young English Zouaves like Julian Watts-Russell, just 17, serves as a haunting reminder of their sacrifice. As the tide of history turned with the fall of Rome in 1870, the Papal Army was disbanded, and the Zouaves faded into obscurity, their valor unrecognized by many.
Today, as we remember Pope Francis, let us also honor the forgotten British soldiers who stood resolutely for their faith, embodying a loyalty that defied the currents of change. Their story, marked by courage and devotion, remains a testament to the complexities of faith and identity in a rapidly evolving world.