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T
he United States Embassy to the Holy See, is located on the Aventine hill in the beautiful Villa Domiziana, which was built as a private residence in 1953. In 1994 the United States government acquired the property as the new chancery for the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.

Formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See were established in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II. The mission works in partnership with the Holy See on global issues including HIV/AIDS, world hunger, religious freedom and human rights. As a global entity, the Holy See is influential on many issues and has far-reaching influence in even the most remote corners of the world.

 


The Honorable
Mary Ann Glendon


United States Ambassador to the Holy See

Mary Ann Glendon was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See on December 19, 2007. She was sworn in on February 14, 2008.

Prior to her appointment, Ambassador Glendon was the Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In March 2004, Pope John Paul II named her President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, marking the first time a woman has headed one of the major pontifical academies. ...(full biography)


Latest Speeches and Statements



His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, with Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon. (L'Osservatore Romano)

[…] An essential element of strong friendship is ongoing conversation – a dialogue – based on mutual respect, understanding and trust. This is particularly true for people of faith. The United States, in its desire to be a partner in interfaith dialogue, is working to amplify the many voices speaking out against the misuse of religion to promote terrorist violence and to support the efforts of those who are striving for greater interfaith understanding. We are encouraging conversations among cultures. full text

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Mary Ann Glendon, Ambasciatore-Designato U.S.A. presso la Santa Sede

[…] It’s a great pleasure to be back in Rome, a city that has long been like a second home to me. And it is a special pleasure to be here as I prepare to present my credentials to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. I might add, on a personal note, that I am also happy at the prospect of being in the same city with my eldest daughter and three of my six grandchildren. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have honored me with a great responsibility – one for which I am deeply grateful. full text

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Construction continues at Seven World Trade Center, which was destroyed during the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Ambassador Rooney greeted Cardinal Tarciso Bertone, the Vatican’s new Secretary of State, on September 29th at the Apostolic Palace. Cardinal Bertone replaces Cardinal Sodano, who recently retired after 16 years of service as the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Cardinal Bertone was the Archbishop of Genoa prior to his selection by Pope Benedict XVI. full text

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Construction continues at Seven World Trade Center, which was destroyed during the attacks on September 11, 2001.

[…] It has brought tragedy, destruction, death and untold grief to innocent people across the world, from Indonesia to Morocco, Spain, Jordan, England, India and Egypt. The terrorists, such as those who were responsible for September 11--and those who may be behind the most recent mass murder plot targeting airplanes in London--have long targeted innocent people. Terrorists have repeatedly exercised their contempt for human life, regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. full text

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[…] To this end, the United States has continued to work to aid the thousands of people who are in distress following this conflict. Since the beginning we have worked to ensure that transportation routes were open and goods could be delivered to those in need. In addition to the $27 million in aid that the United States has already provided, President George Bush recently announced a total current commitment of $230 million to the people of Lebanon. full text

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Ambassador Rooney and his wife with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez

[…] On March 24, Ambassador Rooney met with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez at Villa Richardson while visiting Rome for the elevation of Cardinal William Levada of California. full text

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Ambassador Rooney with Under Secretary Henrietta Fore

[…] On March 23, Under Secretary for Management Henrietta Fore called on Ambassador Rooney to during her recent visit to Rome. In addition to meetings with the Ambassador and embassy staff, Under Secretary Fore received tours of the Embassy and the Ambassador’s residence and their respective grounds. full text

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Ambassador Rooney with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick

[…] Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, called on Ambassador Rooney March 22 to discuss his recent trip to the Middle East. In addition to his religious duties, the Cardinal is a champion of religious freedom and travels worldwide to promote religious freedom. full text

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Ambassador Rooney congratulates American Cardinals-elect, Sean O’Malley of Boston and William Levada of Los Angeles.

[…] On March 20, Ambassador Rooney hosted a reception in honor of Archbishops Sean O’Malley of Boston and William Levada of Los Angeles. The two American Archbishops will be elevated to cardinal by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI at the public ordinary consistory this Friday, March 24, 2006. Ambassador Rooney presented the Cardinals-elect with letters from President Bush, congratulating them on their elevation. full text

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First Lady Laura Bush

[…] They say there are about three to five million hungry children around the world, and there's a lot of things we know. We know that if there are school food programs, if children are fed in school, their parents will send them to school. And that's really important, for girls' education specifically, to make sure girls are educated, and while they're there, they're fed. full text

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State of the Union Address

[…] On January 31, President Bush delivered his State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. In it, the President stressed the importance of democracy in the world and the need for its spread to countries such as Syria, Burma, Zimbabwe, North Korea and Iran “because the demands of justice, and the peace of this world, require their freedom as well.” full text

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[…] In his remarks to Pope Benedict XVI, Ambassador Rooney said mutual respect and common goals underpinned the relationship between the United States of America and the Holy See. full text

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[…] I have the distinct honor to present to you my credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Holy See.
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[…] To be the Ambassador to the Holy See is an important undertaking, because at the core of the diplomatic relationship between the United States and the Holy See lies a common vision and task - to promote and defend the dignity of every man, woman and child. full text

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[…] Trafficking victims number over a million each year, and are too often the poorest and most defenseless members of the human family. Pope Benedict XVI has been unequivocal about the need to put an end to this phenomenon that robs its victims of their human dignity. full text

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Senior Advisor Farah Pandith presents a framed picture of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem to Secretary General Redouane as Embassy Vatican DCM Chris

[…] She presented Secretary General Redouane with a framed photograph of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and received a tour of the large and beautiful mosque. Over tea, she and her hosts were able to discuss a variety of issues including the status of Muslims in Rome and efforts to develop an indigenous cadre of imams and ensure proper education for Muslim children.

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Assistant Secretary Thomas Shannon Speaking at the Conference.

[…] The Latin American Human Rights Project: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow was the theme of a conference hosted by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See on May 2, 2008. The event was co-sponsored by the Chilean and Costa Rican Embassies to the Holy See. Ambassador Glendon highlighted the many contributions of Latin American countries to the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

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Ambassador Glendon being interviewed live on Rai International's Italia News. (Photo by Amy Elizabeth Roth)

[…] The 25-minute live interview was dedicated to various aspects of the U.S.-Holy See relationship, with specific focus on Pope Benedict's April 15 - 20 trip to the U.S.

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Ambassador Glendon outlined the impact of the Pope’s meeting with President Bush in an interview with Shepard Smith of FOX News.

[…] Media interest in Pope Benedict's visit to the United States gave Ambassador Glendon a rare opportunity to talk with a global audience about the U.S.-Holy See diplomatic relationship – founded on a common commitment to human dignity. She used a series of TV, newspaper and radio interviews to provide an informed and thoughtful perspective to the Papal visit, while underscoring our shared vision of the centrality of human rights and religious freedom.

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U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Mary Ann Glendon joined U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilizad as Pope Benedict XVI addressed the UN

[…] U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Mary Ann Glendon joined U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilizad as Pope Benedict XVI addressed representatives to the world body from 192 countries. Upon arrival, the Pope --accompanied by H.E. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations -- met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

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U.S. Ambassadors to the Holy See:  (l-r) C. Boggs (serving 1997-2001), R. Flynn (1993-1997), T. Melady (1989-1993), J. Nicholson (2001-2005), Francis

[…] The liturgical celebration reflected the diversity of Catholic heritages and sensibilities representative of the Archdiocese of Washington, where the Mass was held. Music composed in the 40 years since the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council was included, as were ancient Latin texts set to chant. A musical highlight was the appearance of opera star Placido Domingo who sang the opening phrase of "Panis Angelicus."

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Pope Benedict XVI greets well-wishers in the streets of Washington, DC, following his meeting with President Bush in the Oval Office.

[…] His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI touched down at Washington’s Andrews Air Force Base on Tuesday, April 15, to begin his first visit to the United States as pontiff. President George W. Bush made some history at the same time, becoming the first U.S. president to greet a dignitary of any kind at the base. The President, joined by Mrs. Bush and their daughter, Jenna, and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Mary Ann Glendon, took part in an unprecedented greeting ceremony complete with military honor guards and brass bands.

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Sisters from around the globe came together to form an international network to fight TIP

[…] More than 30 nuns from 26 nations came together to launch the "International Network of Religious Against Trafficking in Persons" (INRATIP) at a recent Training Seminar sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP), and organized by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See and the Italian Union of Major Superiors (USMI). The creation of the network – the first ever international, inter-congregational religious anti-TIP network – was announced at a Public Session held on Friday, October 19, in Rome, Italy.

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Ambassador Francis  Rooney of the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See observes a moment of silence at a memorial service dedicated to the victims of 9/11.  M

[…] Ambassador Francis Rooney and two other representatives of the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See attended a service organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio to mark the sixth anniversary of the attacks on America. On that dark day, America saw the face of evil as 19 men barbarously murdered people of many races, nationalities, and creeds. On September 11, America remembers the innocent victims, and pays tribute to the valiant firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel, and ordinary citizens who risked their lives for the sake of others.

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[…] The White House announced that on Saturday, June 9, President Bush will visit the Vatican for his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.
U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Francis Rooney said “this will be an important opportunity for the President to meet the Holy Father and discuss with him the deep and shared commitment of the United States and the Holy See to promoting human dignity around the world.”

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[…] President Bush is committed to the idea that America can be a lawful, economically dynamic and welcoming society. Last month in his State of the Union address, he made a bold call for comprehensive immigration reform.

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Ambassador Rooney on the steps of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Sarajevo

[…] Ambassador Rooney was joined by Vatican officials and the ambassadors of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, and Morocco to the Holy See for a visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on February 13.

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Ambassador Rooney and Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan on the dais

[…] In his opening remarks, Ambassador Francis Rooney highlighted the United States’ 15 billion dollar commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) active in 120 countries. The Ambassador stressed the need for collaboration between faith-based and secular organizations in battling HIV/AIDS. He made a special note of the excellent work being done by faith-based organizations throughout the world, including many Catholic NGOs.

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President Giorgio Napolitano greets Ambassador Rooney, November 20, 2006

[…] President Giorgio Napolitano greets Ambassador Rooney in the Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace on November 20. This long-standing tradition for newly-elected Italian presidents takes place after the President greets the Holy Father in a separate, but very elegant, formal ceremony.

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Ambassador Rooney greets Archbishop Mamberti, November 14, 2006

[…] Ambassador Rooney greets Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s new Foreign Minister in the Apostolic Palace on November 14, 2006. The newly appointed Foreign Minister greeted the Ambassadors of the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.

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