In a solemn allocution on April 20, 1849, Pope Pius IX referred to the rumor about his Masonic initiation and denounced it as "the blackest of all calumnies."
Venerable Pius IX presided over the Sacred Vatican Council, was spoken of by name in the Church approved messages of Our Lady of Good Success, and proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, for starters... .
Of course the Revolutionary press would go to any length to discredit such a fierce Champion of the Faith!