and they write back legitimatizing the confederacy. it's a scandal all over the union newspapers. and this moment leads to the complete breakdown in ties between the u.s. and the holy sea. >> that breakdown would last for almost a century. >> it's worth remembering for decades people in the united states were deeply suspicious of any relationship between the u.s. government and the vatican. >> why do you think there were these long periods of a lull in communication? >> there was a pretty deep period of anti-catholicism through most of the 19th century. >> the reason many are suspicious of the catholic church is it makes a claim on people's lives. so you have the vatican, this foreign undemocratic, completely secretive organization making purchase on the hearts and souls of your citizens. >> the relationship remained icy until the presidency of woodrow