The Vatican!

And the date is around 1895.

In his letter, Longinqua Oceani, genial Pope Leo XIII ponders the good 'ole U.S.A.


Snippets from Thomas E. Woods, Jr.'s article The Significance of Americanism: A Critical Reappraisal in the Summer 2003 issue of the Latin Mass magazine.

"We highly esteem and love exceedingly the young and vigorous American nation, in which We plainly discern latent forces for the advancement alike of civilization and Christianity ...

"Nor, perchance, did the fact which We now recall take place without some design of divine Providence.

"Precisely at the epoch when the American colonies, having, with Catholic aid, achieved liberty and independence, coalesced into a constitutional Republic, the ecclesiastical hierarchy was happily established amongst you; and at the very time when the popular suffrage placed the great Washington at the helm of the Republic, the first bishop was set by apostolic authority over the American Church.

"The well - known friendship and familiar intercourse which subsisted between these two men seems to be an evidence that the United States ought to be conjoined in concord and amity with the Catholic Church.

"And not without cause; for without morality the State cannot endure, a truth that illustrious citizen of yours, whom we have just mentioned, with a keenness of insight worthy of his genius and statesmanship perceived and proclaimed ...

"Thanks are due to the equity of the laws which obtain in America and to the customs of the well - ordered Republic.

"For the Church amongst you, unopposed by the Constitution and the government of your nation, fettered by no hostile legislation, protected against violence by the common laws and the impartiality of the tribunals, is free to live and act without hindrance ..."

Way to go, Holy Father! :)