The Washington herald., 1910-02-13
By CHARLOTTE NJ. CONGER.

ONCE before they were fully comprehend
ed here. When it was announced that
the Pope would send a personal repre-
sentative to the United States. it was
naturally concluded that this envoy would
occupy the same position as that held by
the papal nuncios at the foreign courts
and the capitals of the republics where
they are received; that he would. in fact.
be a member Of the diplomatic corps.
as are the nuncios in Vienna. Munich.
Madrid. Lisbon The Hague-wherever in
word, such an agent is accredited.
The holy see. however, does not ap-
point diplomatic representatives, to na-
tons that do not maintain legations or
embassies at the Vatican, as do nearly
all of the countries where the Roman
Catholic faith prevails, but in the coun-
tries who do not follow this practice
there is stu need of a personal repre-
sentative OF the Pope. a mediator be-
tween the branches OF the church IN
those countries and the St Siege. a dig
nitary whose duty i is to investigate all
matters of dispute and decide them. if
his powers warrant or to lay them be-
fore the authorities at the Vatican If he
is not entitled to this privilege
No Envoy to Vatican.
Since the unifcation of Italy the United
States has sent no diplomatic representa-
tive to the Vatican. hence the Vatican
sends no diplomatic representative 10 the
United States. for. although he is a dip
lomatist in the fullest sense Of the word
the apostolic delegate is not accredited
10 the people of the Unietd States as are
the ambassadors and ministers, but TO
the church
He is, in a word, not a nunciO. not the
personal representative of the Pope 10
this government, but a legate, a special
envoy. delegates by the holy father as
his representative in the performance OF
certain ecclesiastic OF political functions
or both. His position is one OF great
dignity and great power. yet he is out
side Of the diplomatic corps and his name
does not appear in the official list OF the
Department of State.
When Cardinal SatolH. the first apos-
tolic delegate TO the United States. came
10 Washington he was much sought after
in a social way. invited here, there. and
everywhere. unofficially. Of course and
he amiably accepted many invitations.
both from people of his own faith and
those outside of his church, but he never
attended an official function In an Off
cial capacity during the whole period OF
his stay here. and his successor. Cardinal
MartineIi. followed his example
These prelates were invited to the White
House by the Presidents in office when
they came here, bat they thought II IN
wisdom 10 accept these invitations rec
ognizing the delicacy of their position
and believing that 10 play a social role,
70 be conspicuous figure In the official
circle would subject them TO criticism
that would hurt rather than help their
mission. Mgr. Falconio has also refrain
ed from mingling much in the social life
Of Washington. and the invitations he
accepts are of an informal character.
The attitude the apostolic delegates have
taken in this regard is often attributed 10
the fact that they are members Of monas-
tic orders Il is not, however, this alone,
hut because of their desire to prevent
complications that might arise from a
contrary course.
Noted for Its Diplomacy.
Society is. Of course. the loser by the
isolation Of men Of such profound
scholarship and such interesting person
alities. but the Catholic Church has al
ways been noted for her wise diplomacy.
and the stand the Pope's representatives
have taken IN this regard is an express
sion of it.
There is, however, now and then, dis
content expressed by the Catholic diplo-
mats in Washington that they have so
little opportunity to meet the dignitaries of
their church. The American capital, in
deed. seems to stand alone In this par
ticular, for in all the capitals of Europe
the officials Of church and state mingle
freely. and this pleasant contact of peo-
pie far removed from each other in many
ways is both interesting and stimulating,
Il is contended, too. and with reason, that
these informal meetings OF laymen and
Catholic clergy furthers the cause of the
church, and 1t has been proposed again
and again by enthusiastic Catholics TO
build a handsome residence for Cardinal
Gibbons at the Capital, where he could
live for a part Of the year, AT least, and
which would be center for Catholics
who have the advancement and welfare
of their church at heart.
The present apostolic delegate to the
United States, Mgr. Diomede Falconio,
succeeded Cardinal Martineli in Septem-
her, 1902. He came here as an old friend
an American citizen. in factor, while
in 7or- Al
department of the Abruzzi, he has passed
the greater part Of his life on this side
Of the water. and was naturalized here
soon after his ordination as priest The
only real citizens Of the world are the
Roman Catholic missionaries, for they
are sent from one end of the globe to the
other. and are at home everywhere-in
a kings palace or a swinherd's hut. Thus
they are able 10 understand and sympa-
thize with people of all degrees as no 9TH
er class Of men in the world.
Chiefly in America.
Mgr. Falconio had done fair share
q wandering before he was promoted to
his present post, but chiefly in America.
He was the administrator for a time OF
the Cathedral at Harbor Grace, in New
foundland. and just prior to his present
appointment apostolic delegate to Canada,
the greater part of the time between these
two details was devoted to working for
the Order Of the Franciscans in Ital?.
The members of this order. who take
the vows of poverty and devotion to
contemplative life are familiar to every
one who has lived long in Europe, for
they are 10 be found everywhere, in the
crowded streets Of cities, in the open
country. and in mountain Businesses. The
mountain roads of italy, of the Tyrol, and
the Bavarian Highlands would seem
strangely unfamiliar without the pic
trrro-r,r- Errrrror o. L.. ....sr...-.