The post above is EXACTLY what this song refers to. It can't refer to Napoleon Bonaparte because he was never disliked by the French people and only went into exile due to the extreame circumstances after his defeat. The picture on the front of the album was painted about the French Revolution. Viva la Vida is derived from Viva la France the call card of the French National Guard headed by Marquis de la Fayette (the same one from the American Revolution). I am a devout confirmed Catholic and I can't defend the Catholic theory behind the song. In all likelyhood Coldplay is majorally Anglican.
This is my first and last post so don't argue it, use it as fodder for further conversation.