Complex sentence: Although playing a major role in the watersheds of national life, he ensured there was establishment assent for any policy he proposed and was never identified with an initiative, and his presence in government reassured the civil service, business, and especially the Vatican.
Split into simpler sentences: Although playing a major role in the watersheds of national life, he ensured there was establishment assent for any policy before proposing it and was not identified any initiatives. His presence in government reassured the civil service, business, and especially the Vatican.