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>But the most absorbing speculation concerned a rapprochement between the Vatican and the Kremlin, involving, rumor said, a visit by the Archbishop to Moscow, perhaps from Teheran. It was a dizzy prospect to dwell on, for Communism and Catholicism have been archenemies through a bitter quarter century. Yet Francis Spellman may have talked to Russian envoys in Ankara. The dissolution of the Comintern (TIME, May 31) had come in the midst of his mission, and it must have pleased the papacy. The Vatican radio had begun broadcasts to Russia, friendly in nature and designed to dispel the Russian people's "complete spiritual isolation." Moscow had not objected.
If Francis Spellman were promoting a rapprochement, his activity would stem from realism. In postwar Europe, home of 220,000,000 Roman Catholics, or two-thirds of the Church's world flock, Russia will play a considerable role. Further, Soviet influence will probably be dominant in the Balkans, where the Roman and Orthodox Churches share sway. The Vatican and the Kremlin may well find their affairs somewhat mixed up together.
> Francis Spellman knew the temper of America's 23,000,000 Catholics, among the most intransigent foes of Communism. Whatever he could do to further rapprochement between the Vatican and the Kremlin would make it that much easier for the future of U.S.-Russian relations.
* Spain, Italy, Vatican City, French Morocco, Algeria, England, Eire, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Malta, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran.