Thirty years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Holy See ...
(Vatican Radio) On Thursday, January 23 the Ambassador of the United States of America
to the Holy See, Kenneth Hackett inaugurated a photographic exhibition here in Rome
marking 30 years of Diplomatic Relations between the United States of America and
the Holy See. So if you've ever wondered how the land lies in terms of diplomatic
relations between the Holy See and the United States , listen to Veronica Scarisbrick
interviewing our expert in this field. He's historian, Professor Gerald Fogarty
SJ from the University of Virginia in the United States and he brings us the first
in a two part series which takes us from 1783 to 1951. If you do you'll discover
how until the 1890's there were simply no United States Ambassadors appointed to the
Holy See. How at one point in history Catholics weren't always exactly popular in
this nation. And also how the events following World War II would lead to to improved
diplomatic relations. As Professor Fogarty further explains things changed when
John Fitzgerald Kennedy ran for presidency: :"..it became one of the two crucial issues
in the campaign of John Kennedy for President of the United States: was he in favour
of diplomatic relations with the Vatican and was he in favour of financial federal
aid to parochial schools? ... there was hesitation as whether or not the President
could have a meeeting with the Pope .." Listen: