U.S.–Holy See Diplomacy: The Establishment of Formal Relations, 1984

The authors explore the circumstances that permitted President Ronald Reagan to establish full diplomatic relations with the Holy See where other U.S. presidents had failed in the past, including an examination of the relationship between Reagan and Pope John Paul II. Their dynamic personalities, life experiences, and repudiation of communism created a natural bond between them that resulted in a period of warm relations between the United States and the Holy See. Several events also occurred in which the United States and the Holy See shared common interests and collaborated extensively. Furthermore, within the domestic realm there was support—or, more accurately, little active opposition—from Congress, the courts, and Protestant groups. Finally, the Holy See and Reagan were eager to see these relations established. The combination of these factors created the proper environment for the Reagan administration to send the first U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.