After time 'near the flagpole' of his faith, Nicholson to leave Rome

Published: 2005-01-11

ROME (CNS) -- In Army lingo, being close to headquarters is being "near the flagpole," and after 40 months serving near the flagpole of his faith, Jim Nicholson is returning to a more military environment. Nicholson, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See since September 2001, has been nominated by President George W. Bush to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. The ambassador was scheduled to have a private farewell audience with Pope John Paul II Jan. 13 and was to move to Washington at the end of the month. Bush has not announced his choice for the next ambassador to the Vatican. In a Jan. 11 interview with Catholic News Service, Nicholson said the high points of his term in Rome were escorting Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Colin Powell to visits with Pope John Paul. "And the high highlight was the day that the president presented the pope with the Medal of Freedom" for his defense of human freedom and dignity, Nicholson said. The presentation took place June 4, during Bush's third visit to the pope.

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