033.1140/15: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Page ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29—9:29 a.m.]
2423. Congressman Carlin of Virginia having been accorded private audience today by the Pope, states that the latter expressed [Page 143] most earnestly his hope that the President will visit Rome during his visit to Europe, declaring that should he come here he would receive most cordial welcome from himself and would be received by him formally or informally in accordance with whatever President’s wishes might be. And further, that President would find no embarrassment there touching anything President might wish in visiting others or carrying out any program he might have.
This statement accords with what the head of the American Catholic College had already mentioned to me privately, to the effect that nothing like any conditions such as were proposed when Mr. Roosevelt came to Rome would be suggested now.
The foregoing, taken in connection with the declaration to me by Premier Orlando that the Italian Government will make no difficulties [apparent omission] the President’s visiting the Pope, I understand to mean that the President will of course be absolutely free to do here as he would at home. Paris informed.