The Apostolic Delegate at Washington ( Cicognani ) to Mr. Myron C. Taylor, Personal Representative of President Roosevelt to Pope Pius XII 28
Your Excellency: In accordance with the instructions which I have just received from the Cardinal Secretary of State, I have the honor to write to you that His Holiness Pope Pius has taken note of the message which the President of the United States of America recently had transmitted to Him through me by radio. His Holiness expresses profound gratitude to the President for having given assurances that respect will be shown to religion, to churches and religious institutions and to the City of the Vatican by the allied authorities and forces, although He is unable to conceal His regret at finding [Page 928] in the President’s message no indication of an explicit intention to avoid bombing the Eternal City. In this regard, therefore, He presents anew the recommendations which He made on other occasions. Moreover, His Eminence informs me that the Holy Father is sending a letter in response to His Excellency the President, by diplomatic courier.
Will your Excellency be so good as to convey the foregoing message to the President, together with my respectful greetings.
With the assurance [etc.]
Archbishop of Laodicea
- Copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N.Y.↩