Działalność dyplomatyczna Watykanu w sprawach Polski a decyzje jałtańskie

Abstract

The agreement between the USA, Great Britain and the Soviet Union contributed to the new arrangement of political map, especially in central and eastern Europe. Because of this the Holy See became interested in social and religious situation of territories occupied by Soviet Union, where Joseph Stalin established Temporary Government of National Unity in Lublin. Vatican, however kept diplomatic relations only with government in exile in London which didn’t have much influence over developments in that part of Europe. In this situations the Holy See ,with the help of their legates, made attempts in London and Washington to guard its influence and to lead to freedom of actions of Roman Catholic Church on Polish territory. Great role in making those attempts had representatives of the Holy See, archbishop William Godfrey and Amaletto Giovanni Cicognani who systematically informed Vatican on practical decisions of anti- Hitler coalition and tried to influence governments of western allies in the matter of Polish sovereignty and independence. In the summer of 1944 the Pope Pius XII saw only two options: either Poland and other eastern European countries become soviet republics with all disastrous consequences or the West will introduce in these countries anti – communist regimes. To back the West in this, the Pope thought it necessary to demonstrate that that he didn’t consider compromise with Stalin and that he didn’t want to send an Apostolic Nuncio to Warsaw. The dedication of the Pope Pius XII to Polish matters was voiced 15th November 1944, when during the audience to Polish people he mentioned basic human freedom of Polish nation and called for recognition of Poland as a country, which contributed to victory and peace in Europe. However in history of Europe and Polish church Yalta Conference became a real change in political map of Polish country and Church on territories occupied by the Soviet Union. Yalta resolutions London were questioned by government in exile, which keeping diplomatic relationships with Vatican, tried to influence international opinion with the aim of freeing Poland from Soviet occupation. Despite difficult situation many diplomatic attempts were made by Polish ambassador in Vatican Kazimierz Papée and a Papal Nuncio in Poland residing in Rome Filippo Cortesi. They both attempted to look for help to avoid conformation of Poland to Soviet Russia. The Secretariat of State of the Holy See also tried by the means of diplomatic channels in the USA to change Yalta resolutions to Polish advantage. In the consequence neither American administration nor British failed to do anything to change the political and social situation on the territories occupied by the Soviet Union. It is also necessary to mention that until November 1944 the Holy See attempted to do a lot for Polish nation. But after this date it also accepted political state and division of Europe after Yalta Conference. It can be assumed that cessation of diplomatic efforts in Polish matters was dictated by concerns about persecution of Roman Catholic Church on territory of Poland. It is also worth stressing that the Holy See officially didn’t question Yalta decisions and after exhausting all diplomatic means they accepted this historic fact as an element of the division of world.