The caption of the picture translates: "Signature of the Concordat between the French Government and His Holiness Pius VII for the re-establishment of the Catholic religion in France". On the left is Cardinal Ercole Consalvi, Papal Secretary of State. Next to him is the Pope and Napoleon is in the center

In 1801 he signed an agreement with Pope Pius VII reestablishing the Church in France.. It was The Concordat of 1801. But it was under Napoleon's terms. The Church agreed to give up their claim to the lost lands. The principle of religious freedom which the revolution had guaranteed remained in effect. The government would continue to select the bishops, but would submit them to the Pope for his approval. Bishops would appoint only priests acceptable to the government. In return Napoleon graciously recognized the Catholic Church as the religion of the great majority of Frenchmen. The Church had lost much, but the dispute was over.