The hopes for a diminution of the “Italian factor” in the Vatican's concerns seem destined to founder. Despite new attitudes that emerged at the time of the Vatican Council, older patterns persist and impose themselves.

When the Socialists entered into a coalition with the (Catholic) Christian Democrats in 1962, it looked as if the Vatican would gradually reduce its links with Italian politics. This prospect would have been consistent with the encouragement the Vatican Council, just under way in 1962, gave to Catholics to collaborate with others in the building of the terrestrial city. Consistent also with Pope John's alleged remark: “Italy should be no more important to the Vatican than the Philippines.”