The article highlights the preparations of the Russian government for negotiations with the Holy See, which will be the first step on a long and difficult path of restoring diplomatic relations after their rupture in 1866. It is based on the materials of a meeting of a special Secret Catholic Committee convened to decide whether to enter into negotiations, what they should be, whether they should concern the totality of relations with the Papal government or only the question of the appointment of bishops to vacant sees, what position to adhere to in the course of the negotiations. Along with the consideration of these questions, during the discussion opinions were expressed about the nature of relations with the Holy See, and critical remarks were aired about Russian policy in this matter. There were fundamental differences among the participants of the meeting as to the assessment of the concrete measures taken by the government, the position of the Catholic Church in Russia, and the state of relations with the Holy See. That great care was taken regarding the preparations for the meeting is clear from the extensive material received from all parties directly interested in this issue: the Ministries of Foreign and Internal Affairs, as well as Gorchakov’s correspondence with Kapnist, the Viceroy of the Kingdom of Poland von Berg, and a note from the head of the Board for Spiritual Affairs of Foreign Confessions in the Kingdom of Poland Mukhanov.