In February 1798, the French Revolutionary forces entered Rome, led by General Louis-Alexandre Berthier. The military incursion was part of France's expansionist policies following the establishment of the First French Republic and was fueled by ideological conflicts with the Papal States. On February 20, Berthier took control of the city and removed Pope Pius VI from power, which was a significant moment in the power struggle between church and state. This military action followed the increasing tension over the Pope's refusal to support the French revolutionaries, leading to a de facto occupation of Rome.

Pope Pius VI was captured and forcibly taken from the Vatican, marking a dramatic shift in the political landscape of Italy. The Pope was initially held in Rome but was later moved to various locations, eventually leading to what many view as an act of war against the Papal States. Berthier's actions were part of a broader French campaign to weaken the grip of the Vatican on political power, advocating for principles of liberty and secular governance. The incident also served as a precursor to the larger conflicts that would arise from the Napoleonic Wars.

This capture had profound implications for the Catholic Church, leading to a decline in its temporal power and influence across Europe. Moreover, it set a precedent for the relationship between state and church in the ensuing years, as various nations grappled with the ideas stemming from the French Revolution. Pius's eventual release did not restore the Papacy's former authority, which had been severely undermined, leading to extensive reforms and changes in papal governance in the centuries that followed.