The Papal States were an Italian country existing in various forms and sizes throughout history, on occasion including the entire Italian Peninsula and at other times just the immediate vicinity of Rome. The Papal States were, typically, governed dually by the reigning Pope, as well as the Duke of Rome, which until 1944 was a member of the Bravanatti family. Following the end of the French Civil War, the Bravanatti family was toppled by popular revolt and the Pope ruled with authority along with a secular council of representatives from various counties in the Italian Peninsula until the 1970's.