PŘEDPOKLADY PRO OBNOVENÍ ČESKOSLOVENSKO-VATIKÁNSKÝCH JEDNÁNÍ V OBDOBÍ KONKLÁVE ROKU 1963.

Th e study deals with a resumption of diplomatic relations of the Holy See and Czechoslovakia at the turn of the 1950s and 60s. At the same time, it follows a development and transformation of Czechoslovak-Vatican negotiations in the fi rst half of the sixties. It reveals how much the Communist regime left its anti-ecclesiastical attitude from the fi ft ies and focuses on obligingness, formally manifested by the regime, which was naturally in harmony with ideas of the Soviet Union that connected improvement of diplomatic relations with a propaganda of the Communist ideology in the international forum and intellectual circles in Europe. It shows that those expectations were connected with the personality of Pope John XXIII because the pontificate of new Pope Paul VI gave the church self-confidence, which was noticeable also in new "courage" of the Holy See during Czechoslovak- -Vatican negotiations. Th e worries of the Soviet Union and also of the Czechoslovak party soon prevailed so that Prague advanced more one-sided advantages and systematically broke off negotiations. Nevertheless, though Czechoslovak-Vatican negotiations from years 1963-1965 did not contribute to better diplomatic relations of both countries, the Holy See managed to better penetrate the religious situation in Czechoslovakia and to achieve many tiny concessions concerning the Communist regime. Despite the fact that the actual negotiations terminated unsuccessfully, they provided a platform for a discussion of both sides which resulted in the acceptance of the agreement of the Holy See and the Czechoslovak government in December 1972. Nevertheless, Czechoslovak-Vatican negotiations from years 1963-1965 represent a worthful view on the important turning point in diplomatic relations as well as church history during the second half of the 20th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]