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The Fundamental Statute for the Secular Government of the States of the Church was the constitution of the Papal States conceded by Pope Pius IX [1] as a result of the 1848 revolutions.[ citation needed] It was published on 14 March 1848. [2]
The statute provided for two legislative chambers. [2] The first was to consist of members nominated for life by the Pope and the second, of one hundred elected deputies. [2] The laws adopted by these two chambers had first to undergo the scrutiny of the College of Cardinals, before being submitted to the Pope for his assent or rejection. [2] Ecclesiastical, or ecclesiastico-political, affairs were exempted from parliamentary interference. [2] Also the parliament was required to abstain from the enactment of laws conflicting with criticism of the diplomatic and religious relations of the Holy See with foreign powers. [2]