Finally, in 1984, full diplomatic relations were established between the US and the Holy See, something that managed to bring Catholics and non-Catholics together – on both sides of the issue.

Links:
Website of the Embassy of the United States to the Holy See

Sources:
Bettwy, Samuel W. “United States-Vatican Recognition: Background and Issues.” Catholic Lawyer. 29. Summer 1984. 225-265
Essig, Andrew M. and Jennifer L. Moore. “U.S.-Holy See Diplomacy: The Establishment of Formal Relations, 1984”. The Catholic Historical Review. 95. #4. October 2009. 741-764.
Wood, Jr., James E. “Editorial – U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican.” Journal of Church and State. 26. #2. Spring 1984. 197-207.

Flag photo by Magnus Manske

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#287 – The Ambassador to the Vatican – Part Two”

The first steps of Neil Armstrong were “one giant leap for mankind” and led Catholics from Vince Lombardi to Paul VI to reflect on their faith and place in the universe. For some, the Apollo 11 mission was a source of inspiration – for others, there was concern that looking to the heavens meant forgetting those in need on Earth. Plus, the Bishop of the Moon.

Links:
Commentary on the Catholic reaction to Apollo 11
Vatican Flag carried aboard Apollo 11 and Apollo 15
Medal given to Buzz Aldrin by Paul VI
Apollo 11 goodwill messages – including that of Pope Paul VI
Vatican Radio broadcast on Apollo 11 mission with words of Pope Paul VI
Video of Paul VI looking at moon through telescope during the Apollo 11 mission, watching the landing on television and speaking about the landing.
Image of Pope Paul VI watching Apollo 11 on television
Image of Pope Paul VI with Apollo 11 astronauts
The Space Hymn can be found here on page 6

Benedict XVI and the International Space Station
Video of Benedict XVI speaking with astronauts aboard International Space Station

On the Bishop of the Moon

Sources:
Armstrong, Neil, Michael Collins, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., Gene Farmer and Dora Jane Hamblin. First on the Moon: A Voyage with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. 1st ed. Boston: Little, Brown, 1970.
Farrell, OSB, Gerard. “Our Father’s God Whose Ever-Mighty Hand – Space Hymn” found in Our Parish Prays and Sings; a Service Book for Liturgical Worship with Official Texts, Hymns, Psalms and Paraliturgies. Collegeville, Minn: The Liturgical Press, 1965: 566-567.
Rahman, Tahir. We Came In Peace For All Mankind: The Untold Story of the Apollo 11 Silicon Disc. Silicon Disc, LLC, 2008.
Specola Vaticana. The Heavens Proclaim: Astronomy and the Vatican: A Book. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Vistor ; [Rome, Italy] : Vatican City State : Vatican Observatory Publications, 2009.
Wilson, Charles Reagan. “American Heavens: Apollo and the Civil Religion.” Journal of Church and State 26, no. 2 (March 31, 1984): 209–226.

Images:
Silicon Disk containing goodwill messages including that of Pope Paul VI

Pope Paul VI meeting the Apollo 11 astronauts – larger images can be found here and here

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Website of The Catholic Family Podcast

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#276 – Apollo 11

In the 1850s, the rise of the Know-Nothing movement symbolized increasing hostility to Catholics and immigrants in the United States. This hostility would even leave its mark on the Washington Monument.

Links:
Part One and Part Two of an article on the Pope’s Stone
About.com Catholicism Readers’ Choice Awards

Sources:
Endres, David J. “Know-Nothings, Nationhood, and the Nuncio: Reassessing the Visit of Archbishop Bedini”. U.S. Catholic Historian. 21. #4. 1 October 2003. 1-16.
Jacob, Judith M. The Washington Monument: A Technical History and Catalog of the Commemorative Stones. National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Northeast Region, Design, Construction, and Facility Management Directorate, Architectural Preservation Division. 2005.
Torres, Louis. “To the Immortal Name and Memory of George Washington”: The United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Construction of the Washington Monument. EP 870-1-21. Historical Division, Office of the Administrative Services, Office of the Chief of Engineers. 1985.

Images:
Uncompleted Washington Monument by Mathew Brady
Finished Washington Monument by David Iliff. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

Image of replaced “Pope’s Stone” taken from Jacob.

Image of Smithsonian’s purported remnant of former “Pope’s Stone” from John Lockwood. “A Deed of Barbarism”. National Mall and Memorial Times. March 2010. 5.

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#272 – The Pope’s Stone