Francis Rooney served as a U.S. ambassador to the Holy See under George W. Bush from 2005 to 2008, and is author of the book, The Global Vatican: An Inside Look at the Catholic Church, World Politics, and the Extraordinary Relationship between the United States and the Holy See. I talked with him about the Holy See diplomacy in light of Pope Francis’ role in the release of Alan Gross.

KJL: What do you make of the pope’s reported involvement with the Allan Gross release? 

Ambassador Francis Rooney: Here we see yet another important exercise of the Holy See’s “soft power” diplomacy, working privately, behind the scenes, to accomplish a diplomatic objective which is central to its core principles, the protection of human dignity and the right to personal freedom. 
 

KJL: How does this fit into the history of Vatican diplomacy? 

AMBASSADOR ROONEY: This is consistent with many centuries of active engagement by the Holy See with secular sovereigns to resolve differences and solve problems, whether in mediating border disputes, seeking hostage releases or calling out for economic and individual freedoms. 

KJL: What do you say to people who think this is bad policy? That the pope might be dangerously or unwisely intervening in U.S. public policy? 

Ambassador Rooney: I think the pope is pursuing traditional Holy See diplomacy centered on improving the human condition and seeking to resolve differences among secular countries. The difference now is that the U.S. administration wanted to accomplish something which happened to align with these objectives as far as Cuba is concerned. 
 

KJL: What is the good of the Holy See and its ability to get involved in world affairs like this? What are the downsides or again dangers? 

AMBASSADOR ROONEY: As I argued in my book, The Global Vatican, I believe that the Holy See is a positive force for good in the world of foreign affairs just as in the theological world. They have made many important contributions diplomatically throughout many years, and as we see right now, continue to do so. In this respect I mean the recent initiatives of Pope Francis in the Holy Land, Albania, and Turkey as well as the Cuba thaw. 

The danger here, it seems to me, is that the Holy see and the United States are out-traded by the regime in Cuba, which just received a lot of economic advantage without, apparently, giving up much in the way of internet access, freedom, and protection of human rights.  
 

KJL: Is there the danger that disagreement on this policy is a matter of a crisis of faith for anyone? I know a lot of people who are not happy with the pope today (and not for the first time)?

AMBASSADOR ROONEY: There will be some people who disagree with the Holy See nurturing the prisoner exchange and relaxation of isolation based on sound and logical arguments. I am not sure it is a faith issue as much as one of diplomacy.  

KJL: Is it always important to distinguish between the Holy See and the Vatican for just this reason? 

AMBASSADOR ROONEY: The sovereignty is based on the influence and authority of the Holy See, the holy “seat,” from Latin, of the Church, while the Vatican is the 108 acres donated to the Holy See by the government of Italy in the Lateran Treaty of 1929.  Just as people refer to “the White House “ when they mean the president, both terms are used interchangeably in routine discourse. 
 

KJL: But the pope can’t be two people at once.

AMBASSADOR ROONEY: In some sense the pope pursues two different lines of business, first as the leader of the global Catholic Church and its doctrine, theology and organization around the world, and second as the focal point of Holy See diplomatic engagement around the world as it deploys its “soft power” and influence. However, the two are really linked and aligned from the start since what the Holy See stands for diplomatically ensues from its fundamental principles and theology, the protection of freedom, human dignity and the natural rights of man, granted by God and not the state. 
 

KJL: What made you most grateful for the Holy See’s diplomatic place in the world during your tenure? 

AMBASSADOR ROONEY: I was able to see first-hand how important the Holy See’s role is when Pope Benedict used the global pulpit to raise consciousness about the depth of evil and danger in radical Islamic extremism, with religion being used as shield for hegemonic aggression and murder, and how the rise of secularism in the west might undermine societal commitment to opposition to these nefarious forces and to the zealous preservation of our freedoms. 

KJL: What do you miss most about Christmas in Rome? 

AMBASSADOR ROONEY: Christmas in Rome is a magical time. The city is festive and there is a lot of activity on the streets. There are many interesting events taking place around the city, such as the concert series at the Gesu and the exposition of creches at Santa Maria del Popolo. There are also many American visitors at this time, and finally, the culmination of the season with Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s and the papal blessing the next morning.  We always had our children with us for Christmas which made Rome a real family place for us at this time.