I would ask, why did the Papacy refuse to recognize the state of Israel until 1993, but I already know.
Best post of the day!
“I would ask, why did the Papacy refuse to recognize the state of Israel until 1993, but I already know.”
I doubt you do.
The Vatican opposed Zionism as did most of the nations of the world before WWII. In 1948 the Vatican created the office of Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, with jurisdiction over Palestine, Transjordania, and Cyprus to deal with the whole region. Formal relations with Israel could only be formed when Israel agreed to basic protections of pilgrimage sites and the rights of Catholics. That only happened in 1993. Thus, formal relations were established in 1994.
Two weeks before the end of the British mandate, Pope Pius XII, who was loved by Jews around the world (including Golda Meir), issued a document which talked about his concerns for protecting the holy places in Israel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auspicia_quaedam
Pius XII did it again later that year after the first war had broken out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_multiplicibus_curis
And in 1949: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redemptoris_nostri_cruciatus
In 1964 Pope Pius VI visited Israel - which he could not do unless there were high level contacts and talks with the state of Israel. There just wasn’t formal recognition of the State of Israel yet. Those thorny issues over pilgrimage sites and the rights of Catholics had not been worked out yet. Paul met with the President of Israel at that time.
A few years later, 1969. Pope Paul met with Abba Eban, the Foreign Minister of Israel at that time and four years later, 1973, Gold Meir, the Prime Minister. At that meeting Paul brought up the issue of the holy sites, but no agreement was reached.
In 1974 the Vatican tried to arrange a prisoner exchange between Israel and Syria: http://aad.archives.gov/aad/createpdf?rid=1092&dt=2474&dl=1345
In 1978 Pope Paul had a formal reception at the Vatican for Moshe Dayan, the Foreign Minister for Israel and a famous war hero. Paul again expressed concern for the holy places. No agreement was reached.
Only when this happened in 1993: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/archivio/documents/rc_seg-st_19931230_santa-sede-israele_en.html
Could recognition be given in 1994.
http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Bilateral/Pages/Israel-Vatican_Diplomatic_Relations.aspx (by the way, the text only shows up for me when I highlight it)