Apostolic Nunciature To The United States - Apostolic Delegate

Apostolic Delegate

The Holy See did not have official ties with the United States and its mission was headed by an apostolic delegate without the rank of ambassador. Apostolic delegates, unlike apostolic nuncios, exercise only ecclesiastical functions of oversight over the Catholic hierarchy of the country to which they were sent, while apostolic nuncios have the added responsibility of also acting as ambassadors of the Holy See before the government of the country where they serve. There were instances in which two official delegates served at the same time.

1. Francesco Satolli, January 14, 1893 – 1896
2. Sebastiano Martinelli, OSA, April 18, 1896 – 1902
3. Diomede Falconio, OFM, September 30, 1902 – 1911
4. Giovanni Bonzano, February 2, 1912 – December 11, 1922
5. Pietro Fumasoni Biondi, December 14, 1922 – March 16, 1933
6. Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, March 17, 1933 – November 14, 1959
7. Egidio Vagnozzi, December 16, 1958 – January 13, 1968
8. Luigi Raimondi, June 30, 1967 – March 21, 1973
9. Jean Jadot, May 23, 1973 – June 27, 1980
10. Pio Laghi, December 10, 1980 – January 9, 1984