Talk:Eugenio Pacelli's 1936 visit to the United States

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Frank criticism.

In 1932, when running for the Presidency, NY Governor Roosevelt made clear that if elected he would open diplomatic relations with the till-then boycotted government of Soviet Russia. This news flashed from St. Pat's Cathedral to the Vatican and caused alarm. The return flash was "work to defeat this man". A Catholic hue and cry to the public caused no concern among Protestants. Many Catholics recalled that FDR had supported presidential candidate Al Smith. After winning, FDR repeated his intention to recognize Russia in a victory book called "Looking Forward".

Secretary Pacelli went to war. He created two plans, one short term and one long term. The short term plan was to gain control of the agenda between Russian diplomat, Maxim Litvinov, and the White House. Pacelli's spectacular (and amusing) success is the most spectacular oversight in U.S. diplomatic history. FDR might as well have had strings tied to his wrists, being gleefuly yanked by Pacelli. A confused but pleasant Litvinov had no idea he was negotiating with the Vatican, not Washington. In time, Russia would figure it out.

Catholic priests do not act independently of higher approval when their public actions could seriously damage the Church. The concept is imprimatur. The Detroit radio activity of Father Coughlin was no doubt discussed between Pope Pius XI and his Secretary of State. Had the first 20 broadcasts been followed by a RISE in the popularity of President Roosevelt, they'd have been chopped off at the knees. The broadcasts continued only because they met a Vatican goal. Political polls in June 1936 showed that Franklin Roosevelt had barely a 50 percent chance of re-election. Gotcha.

1) Joseph P. Kennedy financed the trip of Pacelli and a huge entoruage, lock, stock, and barrel. 2) To call Count Galeazzi a "gentleman-in-waiting" is hysterical humor. Others described him as a "lean, hooded-eyed functionary who seemed to have stepped out of a painting of a Renaissance court". Galeazzi was also not the "Vatican architect" unless one refers jokingly to the Vatican Bank. 3) Italian raiment for priests looks "girly-girl" to American men. Spellman offered Pacelli the trousered garb of American Catholic clergy.

No American Catholic was too dumb not to see the political meaning of a visit to them by the man most likely to become the next pope. Suppose Pacelli had done exactly the converse, if he had warned Catholics that they would risk excommunication by voting for FDR? A lot of out-of-work American Protestants had also listened to the Radio Priest. No reader should accept uncritically the opinion that FDR's victory was a =foregone landslide=. Gammon and spinach!

The Roosevelt Family Seat, called Hyde Park, has had a Guest Book for centuries. There are 4 and only 4 signatures for 5 November 1936: Cardinal Pacelli, Bishop Spellman, Joseph & Rose Kennedy.

What Secretary Pacelli had expected, for his campaign activity was appointment of a credentialed Ambassador to the Vatican, not some flunky "personal representative". When he learned this, from that moment on Eugenio Pacelli bore a deep loathing for Franklin Roosevelt.

This venture had cost Joe Kennedy a Mint. Joe Kennedy hemmed and hawed, and hawed and hemmed. Finally Rose Kennedy spoke boldly and told Franklin they wanted Joe to be appointed American Ambassador to the Court of St. James's. This is openly reported in her autobiography called "Times to Remember". The fact that FDR later made this appointment is defacto evidence that HE did not regard his reelection as a foregone conclusion. Franklin paid off a debt. Winston Churchill understood this quite well.
 * If any of these opinions can be sourced and attributed, feel free to add them. I've read conflicting accounts of the political implications of the visit, and one weakness they all share is to assume that this visit had the potential to swing the election. Do you honestly contend that greater than 10 million people changed their votes to Roosevelt because of the visit? Given the communication technology of the era, I would be surprised if 10 million Americans were even aware of the visit. Savidan 19:17, 29 April 2010 (UTC)