121.866A/25: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 16—8:33 a.m.]
109. I am asked to inquire the nature of the credentials which Mr. Taylor will present to the Pope during his audience, that is whether [Page 126] they are in the form of a personal letter from the President or in the full and formal sense letters credential. In the event of the more formal letters credential there would follow in the ordinary course an exchange of addresses. In this case the Holy Father may desire to have more time to prepare his reply than would be available between Mr. Taylor’s presentation of copies to the Vatican Secretary of State on the 26th and the audience on the 27th. Perhaps you could cable me the substance at least of Mr. Taylor’s address if he is to make one, in which case there should be ample time for the preparation of the Pope’s reply. It is customary to publish the exchange of addresses in the Osservatore Romano following the audience.