The Vision for a United Italy: Pope Pius IX's Impact Initially, Pope Pius IX was seen as a potential leader for a unified Italy due to his liberal reforms. Nationalists hoped he would head a federation of Italian states. However, his views shifted after the 1848 revolutions. He became wary of radical nationalism and opposed a unified Italy that threatened the Papal States' autonomy. While his early reforms sparked hope, his later opposition ultimately hindered the unification process, making him