What had looked like a mortal wound to Papal power took place in 1798.  A general of Napoleon’s army entered the Vatican, removing Pope Pius VI from his throne.  With that, the Papacy lost its basis as a civil power. From the year 1846 Pope Pius IX, not having territorial or civil power, sought to re-establish the papacy.  An important part of his strategy was achieved by the declaration of papal infallibility.