Amadeo III's eyes suddenly flashed with excitement, and he even subconsciously licked his lips.
The Pope State had practically not existed before the rise of the Carolingian Dynasty. The Holy See relied on the lands seized by Pepin the Short and Charlemagne of the Carolingian Dynasty from the Italian States to establish the Pope State.
Thus, Italians have always been eager to reclaim the lands occupied by the Pope State.
This is also why the Vatican has little control over the Italian States surrounding it, yet is able to influence distant countries such as Spain and Austria.
It's no wonder Amadeo III is so excited—after all, the Pope State is larger than two Sardinias combined.
If Sardinia could carve out a piece of this land, it would grow immensely.
What's more, Sardinia and the Pope State currently do not share borders.
Which means that, to reach the Pope State, Sardinia must first occupy territories of Parma or Venice.
