New papal nuncio to U.S. cites vitality of U.S. Catholicism

Published: 2006-04-04

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Archbishop Pietro Sambi, new papal nuncio to the United States, said April 3 that he is impressed by the vitality of U.S. Catholicism. "There are problems in the church of the United States," he said in an interview with Catholic News Service. "I know also there is a lot of vitality -- I would like that this be more known." The nuncio, who arrived in the United States Feb. 24, just before Lent began, said he was impressed at reports from U.S. bishops on the "hundreds and hundreds of adult persons" who came to their cathedrals on the first Sunday of Lent to begin the final stages of preparation to be baptized or enter into full communion with the church at Easter. He said he is also impressed by the level of weekly Mass attendance among U.S. Catholics and by their generosity toward others. As a papal diplomat "I travel a lot throughout the world," he said. "It is difficult to find a part of the world where the charity of U.S. Catholics did not reach the poor or sick people."

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