The United States and the Holy See

During his visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI will meet with President George W. Bush at the White House.

While the Holy See and the United States now enjoy full diplomatic relations, this was not always the case. From 1870 until 1984, there United States and the Holy See did not have diplomatic relations, though the Holy See did have an apostolic delegate in the United States and many U.S. Presidents sent personal envoys to the Holy See.

Diplomatic relations were established between the United States and the Holy See in early 1984. William A. Wilson, then the president’s envoy to the Holy See, became the first ambassador to the Holy See. Since 1984, there have been eight U.S. ambassadors. The current Ambassador, The Honorable Mary Ann Glendon, was sworn in on February 14, 2008.

Relations between the United States and the Holy See focus on issues of importance to both partners, including religious freedom, human dignity, and peace.

Source: U.S. Department of State