Congress Authorizes Diplomatic Privileges For Vatican's UN Mission

It is expected that President Bush in the near future will sign the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006, H.R. 6060. The bill was passed by Congress on Dec. 9. Section 7 of the Act authorizes the President to grant full diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Vatican's Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations and its members. In a report yesterday, Catholic News Service quotes the bill's chief sponsor, New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith, as saying that the bill will strengthen the "mutually beneficial relationship" of the United States and the Holy See.