Office of the Historian

740.0011 European War 1939/30468: Telegram

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

Bern, July 31, 1943—3 p.m.
[Received 9:01 p.m.]

4615. From Tittmann. No. 130, July 26. My 128, July 23.43

1.
I saw Cardinal Secretary of State July 24. I found him entirely reasonable but very unhappy indeed about raid on Rome. I said I regretted loss civilian lives and fact that Basilica San Lorenzo had been damaged but added that it had been necessary for us to prevent war material from being used against our troops in Sicily and that I thought Italian authorities were at fault for not evacuating civilian population from neighborhood such obvious military objectives as freight yards.
2.
Referring to Pope’s letter to Cardinal Vicar of Rome, he said it should be regarded as a lament, (the Pope he described as “extremely sad”) meant for ears of both belligerents and not as protest. I said I understood this but that I thought it unfortunate that letter seemed to lend itself rather readily to Axis propaganda.
3.
Cardinal confirmed that Basilica San Lorenzo is Vatican property. It is a pontifical and patriarchal Basilica ranking fifth among such edifices and while not listed in Lateran Treaty it has nevertheless always been regarded by Italian Government as enjoying extraterritoriality. Incidentally it seems to be generally agreed San Lorenzo can be repaired, high altar and other vital parts remaining intact.
4.
Cardinal reminded me British had at one time asserted if Athens (with its cultural monuments) or Cairo (with its Moslem shrines) were bombed by Axis, British would immediately retaliate on Rome. Since Axis had refrained from bombing Athens and Cairo he thought Allies or at least British were under indirect obligation not to bomb Rome. I pointed out I had understood British assertions were made ad hoc and could not be regarded as general undertaking by Allies not to bomb Rome if military situation required it. It would be helpful if Department could give me some indication of our position in this matter.
5.
In conclusion Cardinal said raid had proved thesis always upheld by Holy See, namely, that in spite of all good will in world on part of attacking air forces it is impossible to bomb military objectives in Rome without damaging Vatican property or cultural monuments at same time. I replied I thought answer to this was that military objectives should be removed from city which could not serve God of Peace and God of War at same time.
6.
I saw Monsignor Montini this morning and repeated to him that I regretted loss of life and damage to Basilica. He indicated Vatican felt hurt because Osborne and myself had not expressed these sentiments to Cardinal immediately after raid instead of waiting several days. I explained we had refrained from appearing at Secretariat of State earlier in order to avoid embarrassment. I pointed out in support of my explanation that Axis propaganda had in fact precipitately announced that I had been to see him immediately after raid with implication he had protested to me and that Vatican radio had been obliged to broadcast a denial. Axis propaganda I thought would have had even freer play if our presence at Secretariat of State had been noted. Monsignor Montini replied he understood but intimated we might nevertheless have sent a personal word to Holy Father.
7.
Vatican radio in its German broadcast on night of July 24 stated in reply to Axis propaganda that:
(a)
Pope had not sent personal protest to President.
(b)
American Chargé d’Affaires had not been summoned to Secretariat of State.
(c)
Pope did not say in his letter to Cardinal Vicar that Basilica San Lorenzo had been completely demolished.
(d)
Pope did not question good faith of our aviators in their efforts to spare Vatican property.
Mgr. Montini said above statements while not official correctly reflected authoritative Vatican thought.
8.
It has been represented to me that Pope was desperating [desperately hoping?] Rome would not be bombed during war since it would have meant so much to his prestige afterwards if it could be said that city had been spared out of respect for Common Father. There seems to be no doubt but that he is bitterly disappointed, especially since opinion in Vatican appears to be that bombing was not actually necessary to bring about collapse of Italy. I venture to suggest that in view of rather heavy loss of civilian life (I understand well over 1000) the damage to Basilica and Pope’s sentiments as described above, consideration be given to appropriateness of sending some word of understanding to Holy Father from Washington. [Tittmann.]
Harrison
  1. See supra.↩