Twenty-nine years ago today, Sir Mark Heath presented his letters of
credence to Pope John Paul II as envoy extraordinary and ambassador
plenipotentiary to the Holy See.
April 1, 1982, was thus the day
of restoration of full diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom
and the Holy See, after a break of nearly a half-century: some 423
years.
The following day, L'Osservatore Romano's front page spread reported the event.
The
U.K.’s diplomatic representation to the Holy See was raised again to
full ambassadorial level, while the status of the apostolic delegation
in London was raised to that of apostolic nunciature.
In his
address to Heath, John Paul II said: "The presentation of your Letters
of Credence today, together with the accreditation of the first
Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Court of St. James’s, marks an historic
moment in the relations between the Holy See and Britain."
"It
serves as a sign of the understanding and good will which characterize
our diplomatic ties, and it affords a basis for expecting still closer
collaboration in the future."