The reasons which have determined their choice of such a meeting place are no secret; they desire by this outrageous provocation to glut the hatred which they nourish against the Church, and to bring their incendiary torches within reach of the Roman Pontificate by attacking it in its very seat.

"[2]Etsi Nos was one of Leo's first encyclicals to a specific country's bishops, in this case, Italy, the newly created state which surrounded the Vatican.

Leo insisted that his clergy rise above Italy's immorality: […] in these days there is great and far extended corruption of morals, there is need in priests of singular excellence of virtue and constancy.

They can by no means avoid associating with men; by the very duties of their office, indeed, they are compelled to have intimate relations with the people; and that in the midst of cities where there is hardly any lust that has not permitted and unbridled license.

[4] The fear of authoritarian measures from the socialist government according to Leo, resulted in "a paucity of clerics has everywhere followed the laws which have been enacted to the injury of the Church, so plainly, that it is necessary for those who by the grace of God are being trained to Holy Orders, to give double attention, and by increased diligence, zeal, and devotion to compensate for the sparse supply".