Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini was the former leader of Italy from 1922-1961 until it was taken over by Pope Francis in 1958 following his election to the pontificate.

Mussolini served the Papal States and the Austrian branch of the Holy Roman Empire and was its greatest ally. He controlled Puglia, Calabria, Campania, Abruzzo, Liguria, Piemonte and other regions across Italy. Sicily was independent however under the Kingdom of Sicily, and much of the Alpine regions of Italy, and Lazio, Umbria, Toscana and Liguria were under the Papal States or Holy Roman Empire.

Mussolini helped the 4th kingdom of Sicily become Fascist in 1922, which resulted in a near unification of Sicily with Italy, however this proposal was rejected last minute.

During WWII, Mussolini sent thousands of Italian troops into Germany to stomp down St. Hitlers rebellion, and also arrested and executed hundreds supporting a Savoyard government within Italy.

After Francis was elected Pope in 1958, he made efforts to retake Italy and put it under his jurisdiction. After a long discussion, Mussolini agreed to handing his lands over to the HRE and Papal States to Francis in exchange for being able to govern the region autonomously. Francis agreed, and currently Mussolini is a beloved leader under Pope Francis.