A Catholic Priest in the Diplomatic Polygon: Fr Leopold Braun’s Memorandum on His Tenure as Rector of the Moscow Catholic Parish, 1934—1945

This article introduces one of Fr Leopold Braun’s memoranda concerning his tenure as rector of the Catholic parish in Moscow (1934–1945) into scholarly circulation. The analysis focuses on the Second World War period and the broader diplomatic interactions between the USSR, the United States, and France. Braun, as a representative of the Holy See in Soviet Russia, occupied a unique position within this complex diplomatic polygon - a multifaceted configuration of overlapping political and religious interests. The document addresses four central themes: the role of the Roosevelt-Litvinov Agreement of 1933 in safeguarding the interests of American citizens - particularly Catholics - in Soviet Russia; the circumstances surrounding Braun’s appointment to Moscow under the auspices of that agreement; the strained relationship between the Soviet authorities and the Church of St Louis; and Braun’s contacts with French diplomatic representatives, especially from the Free France Committee. The memorandum offers valuable insights that significantly supplement Braun’s previously published memoirs.