New Vatican ambassador is St. Thomas University alumnus
Monday, June 22, 2009
*Msgr. Franklyn Casale
We were thrilled at St. Thomas University when we learned that one of our alums, Miguel Diaz, has been nominated by President Obama as the new ambassador from the United States to the Vatican. What a wonderful thought that someone who spent his young years here at St. Thomas University was actually now going to be representing our country to the Holy See and would be speaking to the pope on our behalf.
I sent a note off to Miguel, who graduated in 1988 with a degree in history, congratulating him and telling him that he had our warmest thoughts and prayers and we were sure that he would be confirmed because of his outstanding personal qualities and his wonderful experience. He is currently a professor at St. Johns University in Collegeville, Minn.
On Wednesday he called to thank me for the note and to tell me that he was so grateful to St. Thomas University for providing him with such a great foundation in education. He reminded me that professor Elizabeta Ferrero was the one who actually started him off by teaching him Italian and that he was inspired by taking courses with Drs. Mercedes and Joe Iannone, whose friendship he still cherishes.
Naturally, I asked him not to be a stranger and to come to campus. I will be inviting him to come here next year, once he is settled at the Vatican. He is naturally very excited and enthusiastic about this new move. I’m sure it will be a bit of a change for his young family, moving from the vibrancy of Minnesota to the Eternal City. Being the ambassador to the Vatican has to be one of the best posts that anyone could have on behalf of a government. We wish him well.
Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale
President, St. Thomas University
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