740.0011 European War 1939/30403: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland ( Harrison ) to the Secretary of State

4514. From Tittmann. No. 128, July 23. My 127 July 22.39

1.
Both my British colleague and myself have made it a point to avoid visiting Secretariat of State after raid fearing our presence there might be misinterpreted as desire on our part to condole with Vatican. I am therefore unable for moment to report first hand Vatican reaction.
2.
I understand there has been and still is considerable indignation among subordinate Vatican officials and for a time menacing rumors were current that Osborne and I would be summoned by Holy Father and presented with solemn protest. Envisaging this possibility we had number arguments ready which we hoped might cause Pope to reconsider his action and which we still may use if necessary. However, it now appears that responsible Vatican officials are taking more realistic view of matter and that no Pontifical protest is contemplated. There seems to be no doubt that these officials are themselves convinced of existence military objectives in Rome and of bona fides of our aviators in endeavoring avoid civilian damage.
3.
Several hours after all clear had sounded His Holiness in his capacity of Bishop of Rome with Mgr. Montini as sole attendant [Page 936] proceeded by automobile to devastated quarters city mingled with faithful there discharging his pastoral duties just as any other Bishop would have done. Objective account of Pope’s ministrations was given in Osservatore Romano next day. July 22 Osservatore Romano published letter dated July 20 from Pope to Cardinal Vicar of Rome on subject of bombardment, full English text of which I am told has been cabled to Washington by NCWC news service40 correspondent here. This evening’s edition of official Vatican organ makes no mention whatever of raid.
4.
As regards Pope’s letter to Cardinal Vicar which has taken place of threatened protest, I understand from authoritative Vatican source that it is purely Roman and not universal in character. According to custom a letter of this nature [(a)] is written by the Pontiff as Bishop of Rome whenever catastrophe occurs in Rome; (b) it should not be regarded as protest but as Pope’s voice raised in defense of sacred character of Rome and security of its citizens; (c) it recalls that Pope has always condemned without discrimination all bombings of civilian populations; (d) it expresses desire of Holy Father that bombing civilian populations, cultural monuments may cease; (e) it states that Pope had hoped find more comprehension on part of belligerents of his effort to protect Rome. This would imply that Italian Government must share responsibility for raid.
5.
It is of course regrettable that Pope did not raise his voice clearly in some such manner as this when civilians and cultural monuments of other countries were being bombed by Germans in early stages war and it can be argued that although letter to Cardinal Vicar may not be technically a protest, it now seems rather too pointed. Some feel his visit in person to devastated areas was enough gesture and that to have written letter as well was gratuitous. However, it must be remembered Pius XII is not only Italian but also Roman and that for many months, one of his chief preoccupations has been possibility Rome might be bombed. My own feeling is that on whole he has thus far acted with dignity and measure under trying circumstances.
6.
With exception of Brazilian Ambassador41 and Uruguayan Chargé d’Affaires42 both of whom show complete comprehension, my Latin American colleagues appear somewhat upset by raid. I am told that this may be attributed to their Catholic susceptibilities but here I should stress that I have never met a more devout Catholic than the Brazilian Ambassador. [Tittmann.]
Harrison
  1. See supra.
  2. Presumably National Catholic Welfare Conference news service.
  3. Hildebrando Pompeu Pinto Accioly.
  4. G. A. Rey Alvarez.