[4CJ]

That is not so. Diplomatic relations were never established and the confederacy was never dealt with as an independent country, not by the Vatican, not by anyone.

When the colonies seceded from the British crown the British government fought a tangible body of people that had declared their independence. Whether or not the British, or anyone else for that matter, recognized the colonies as legitimate meant nothing - they still fought regardless of "official" recognition. Isn't the island of Cyprus divided today, with only Turkey recognizing one of the parties?

The pope is the sole governmental leader of the Vatican and Papal State. I was aware of that recognition, and another poster noted a few days ago that Britain (via the Queen & Treasurer?), France (Napoleon), and several other European nations recognized the Confederate States as a belligerent party in the war.

If I remember the text of the post properly, the Pope addressed Davis as "President", a formal recognition of his political standing as leader of the Confederacy.

[Non-Sequitur]

When the colonies seceded from the British crown the British government fought a tangible body of people that had declared their independence. Whether or not the British, or anyone else for that matter, recognized the colonies as legitimate meant nothing - they still fought regardless of "official" recognition.

But the issue was in doubt until the French and other European powers recognized the independence of the former colonies and provided assistance. Had that not happened the revolution might well have failed and the independence of our country delayed for a century or more.

The pope is the sole governmental leader of the Vatican and Papal State. I was aware of that recognition, and another poster noted a few days ago that Britain (via the Queen & Treasurer?), France (Napoleon), and several other European nations recognized the Confederate States as a belligerent party in the war.

The Pope may have referred to Davis as 'President Davis' in a letter, and Gladstone may have made a speech about how the confederates 'made a nation' but when it comes to recognizing the confederacy as an independent nation and dealing with it as such, exchanging ambassadors and signing treaties, not a single nation in the world did so. None of them ever recognized the confederacy as a sovereign nation. Not one. Great Britain and the European powers officially stayed out of the situation. They officially recognized the blockade and refused to violate it. There was no diplomatic recognition for the south.

There is a very good book on the subject by Dean Mahin called "One War At A Time: The International Dimensions of the American Civil War".