Napoléon (2002)

John Wood: Pape Pie VII

Quotes 

• Napoléon : [regarding his coronation as Emperor]  I intend to crown myself.

  Pope Pius VII : Then why am I here?

  Napoléon : To bless my reign.

  Pope Pius VII : Now, who exactly are you asking to bless your reign, Sire? Almighty God? Or his humble deputy on Earth, the Pope?

  Napoléon : Humble? Is that the word you use to describe the thunder of organ music, clouds of incense, altars full of flowers, robes trimmed with gold?

  Pope Pius VII : You confuse God with religion.

  Napoléon : On the contrary, I separate them. On the one hand, a theory: God. On the other, a certitude: religion. It gives human society a framework. People would have no reference points without religion, we saw the results of that, when during the Revolution the churches were looted and the priests guillotined. The country toppled into anarchy, chaos, and madness of the Reign of Terror. We can do without God, but not without religion.

  Pope Pius VII : Do without God? Can you live without faith in the immortality of your soul? Without belief in the everlasting life?

  Napoléon : If you have ever been in a battlefield, you would not believe in God, either.

  Pope Pius VII : But I spend all my days and all my nights on a battlefield, Sire! The whole world is a battlefield! And every man who suffers is a terrible defeat for me. Place the crown on your own brow if that is what you wish. I will pray it does not become too heavy for you to bear.

  Napoléon : Have you ever regretted being Pope?

  Pope Pius VII : It terrifies me, Sire. Every day that God gives.

• Napoléon : Excuse this dreadful mud, Holy Father, but it's been raining so much lately.

  Pope Pius VII : I've always wondered if the Pope, like his Divine Master, could walk on water. I cannot, evidently. But I do have other powers.

  Napoléon : Such as crowning me Emperor?

  Pope Pius VII : Yes, but also marrying you.

  Napoléon : Marrying me? But I am married!

  Pope Pius VII : During our long and tedious journey, one of my Cardinals told me that you and the future Empress have not been united before God.

  Napoléon : Well, that may be true, but our civil marriage is no less valid.

  Pope Pius VII : To me, it is meaningless. But rest assured, I shall be delighted to bless your union before God.

  Napoléon : I have no intention of getting married a second time.

  Pope Pius VII : Well, unfortunately, I cannot crown a man Emperor, who is living in a state of Sin.

  Napoléon : Very well, then, a discreet ceremony - without unnecessary witness.

  Pope Pius VII : When one has the Pope as a witness, Sire, no-one else is necessary.