1 To James Cardinal Gibbons and the Archbishops, and Bishops of the United States. Certainly We have reason to rejoice, and the Catholic world, on account of itsreverence for the Apostolic See, has reason to rejoice at the extraordinary factthat We are to be reckoned as the third in the long line of Roman Pontiffs towhom it has been happily given to enter upon the twenty-fifth year of theSupreme Priesthood. But in this circle of congratulations, while the voices ofall are welcome to Us, that of the bishops and faithful of the United States ofNorth America brings Us special joy, both on account of the conditions whichgive your country prominence over many other, and of the special love weentertain for you.
Source: In Amplissimo (Vatican.va)