In 1846, the accession of Pope Pius IX raised hopes for liberal reforms within the Papal States. Brunetti organised the Roman public to gather in mass rallies in honour of the new pope. Through his leadership of these events, he became one of the city's most influential politicians, inspiring imitators such as the Neapolitan Michele Viscuso.[1] Visiting Rome during this time, the Piedmontese politician Massimo d'Azeglio described Brunetti thus: "[he] is Rome's first citizen.