American Catholic History The Pope's Stone in the Washington Monument
Jan 16, 2025
In 1854, a slab of marble gifted by Pope Pius IX arrived in Washington, D.C., but it sparked outrage from anti-Catholic groups known as the Know Nothings. They believed the stone posed a threat and stole it in a midnight raid, dumping it in the Potomac River. Despite efforts to recover it, the stone vanished for years, reflecting the tensions of its time. Eventually, a different stone from Pope John Paul II found its place in the Washington Monument, connecting a rich history of faith and American identity.
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Washington's Positive Catholic Relations
- George Washington had a favorable view of Catholics, even summoning a Jesuit priest on his deathbed.
- It's ironic that anti-Catholics opposed a papal gift to his monument.
Know-Nothings' Anti-Catholic Fear
- Know-Nothings feared Catholic immigration threatens American values and politics.
- They irrationally believed the Pope aimed to control America via its Catholic population.
Know-Nothings' Theft of Pope's Stone
- Know-Nothings stole the Pope's stone from the Washington Monument site at night in 1854.
- They smashed it with hammers and threw it into the Potomac River to prevent its inclusion.