The Count of Florida Blanca was instantly shocked, his voice trembling slightly: "You, you mean, to act against the Vatican..."
He didn't even dare to utter the last word.
For someone like him, influenced by the Church since childhood, reducing the Vatican's control over Spain would already be the best scenario, but he never expected the Crown Prince of France to be so bold!
This is simply blasphemy, a great rebellion...
Joseph patted his shoulder to comfort him: "Don't be nervous, I don't intend to do anything to the Vatican, just to restore it to its original state."
"Original state?"
"Exactly." Joseph nodded, "The Vatican should be the representative of Jesus on earth, wholeheartedly serving the Lord, instead of wasting energy like a secular king managing taxes, bureaucracy, and territories.
"Yes, the Vatican originally had no territories, not even the city of Rome should belong to the Vatican.
"As clergy, they only need a church and their devout souls, that's enough.