Vatican diplomacy

Starting with the late 25th century, the author traces the origins of the Vatican's diplomatic missions, devoting special attention to the period after the French Revolution. Nineteenth-century developments are followed in Prusian and the Protestant states, in Imperia Russia, Great Britain, the United States, the non-Christian world. He then describes 20th century Papal diplomacy: the ambassadors and ministries, the Pope's role, Papal sovereignty in canonical, constitutional and international law. Finally special challenges and cases are discussed: Papal diplomacy during the two World Wars, the relationship of the Vatican and the United States (an interpretation is given of the mission of Myron C. Taylor) and of the Holy See and the Soviet Union.