40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Holy See and USA

Bilateral relations between the United States and the Holy See were officially established in 1984 with the agreement between John Paul II and Ronald Reagan and the subsequent appointments of William Wilson as Ambassador to the Holy See and Archbishop Pio Laghi as Apostolic Nuncio. Over time, relations between the Holy See and the United States have grown slowly but steadily, becoming ever stronger and creating a valuable partnership that is the result of constant collaboration on shared goals and a common commitment to a more peaceful and just world for all. Over the years, the consolidation of relations between the Holy See and the United States has allowed for an important dialogue also on the international level. If, in fact, the United States is one of the leading players on the international scene, the Church and the Holy See share in the joys and hopes, the sorrows and anxieties of mankind, ‘offering to it their sincere cooperation for the purpose of establishing universal brotherhood’ (cf. Jas 3). The postage stamp issued for the occasion depicts the coats of arms of the Holy See and the United States of America ideally united by ribbons that echo and blend the colours of the national flags.