The US-Holy See relationship was formalized in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan and Saint John Paul II.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the United States and the Holy See, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Callista L. Gingrich, inaugurated an exhibit on Thursday, July 18, at the U.S. Diplomacy Center in Washington, D.C.

The exhibit highlights a longstanding bilateral relationship that was formalized in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan and Saint John Paul II. Today the United States and the Holy See work together to advance peace, freedom, and human dignity around the world.

The inauguration took place on the sidelines of the second annual Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. As a direct result of the ministerial, the United States and the Holy See will co-host a symposium in Rome on October 2, highlighting the importance of working with faith-based organizations to support and protect religious freedom, combat human trafficking, and provide humanitarian assistance.

The 35th-anniversary exhibit will be open to the public from July 18 to 31.