For the "big figures" present who hold the reins of France's policy direction, Rome and Pope Pius IX indeed posed a thorny problem. The issue was thorny because, in essence, it wasn't a French problem. Strictly speaking, the Roman issue belonged to its domestic affairs, and French intervention might incite fear of the Republic across Europe.
Of course, those present were not afraid of war. Once war began, as the behind-the-scenes controllers of all of France, they could fully enjoy exclaiming words like, "France will never surrender until the last Frenchman is standing," and then send waves of idealistic "youths with aspirations" onto the battlefield.
However, doing so wouldn't benefit them in any way, as none of them wished to start a full-scale war; once it started, no one could escape.
