USA/Vatican Diplomatic Relationship?

Question

I have been told that the USA and the Vatican, for many years, did not have full diplomatic relations. Why ? When was this resolved ? And who sanctioned the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the Vatican - Congress or nobody ?

Answer 1

The opposition to diplomatic relations with the Holy See arose from constitutional concerns about the separation of church and state and also from fears about what would be the effect of diplomatic relations. The constitutional issue was settle by the courts which recognized the President's right to establish diplomatic relations with any international entity. But some still fear that the Vatican will attempt to exercise undue influence on the U.S. Government on behalf of the Catholic Church or that the White House will use diplomatic channels to influence the internal workings of the Catholic Church.

The first representative (a consul) to the Holy See was appointed by George Washington in 1797. This consular office was upgraded to a legation by President Polk in 1848, and four different ministers, all confirmed by the Senate, served until 1867. From the time of the absorption of the Papal States by Italy until the appointment of Myron Taylor as President Roosevelt's special envoy in 1939, there was no U.S. representative to the Holy See. Mr. Taylor held office until 1950, and Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan all appointed special envoys.

The United States maintained consular relations with the Papal States from 1797 to 1870 and diplomatic relations with the Pope, in his capacity as head of the Papal States, from 1848 to 1868. These relations lapsed with the final loss of all papal territories in 1870.

From 1870 to 1984, the United States did not have diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Several recent presidents, however, designated personal envoys to visit the Holy See periodically for discussions of international humanitarian and political issues. Myron C. Taylor was the first of these representatives, serving from 1939 to 1950. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan also appointed personal envoys to the Pope.

The United States and the Holy See announced the establishment of diplomatic relations on January 10, 1984. On March 7, 1984, the Senate confirmed William A. Wilson as the first ambassador to the Holy See. Ambassador Wilson had been President Reagan's personal envoy to the Pope since 1981. The Holy See named Archbishop Pio Laghi as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio (equivalent to ambassador) of the Holy See to the U.S.

Answer 2

USA/Vatican have today diplomatic relations to embassy level.

Answer 3

The vatican has always had an embassy in d.c. and a seat at the u.n.... that is more than most countries. But, Who would miss that bunch of homosexual pedophiles if they left??

Answer 4

it was probably resolved when both realized they hated muslims