740.0011 European War 1939/26787½
Memorandum by the President’s Personal Representative to Pope Pius XII (Taylor) to the Secretary of State
The Apostolic Delegate51 telephoned me this morning and I called upon him. He has a further inquiry from the Vatican in respect to the question of bombing Rome, indicating impatience at the Vatican because we have not definitely communicated to the Holy See the suggestions which you and Archbishop Spellman52 and myself have discussed with the President. He is indicating in his reply that the matter is receiving active attention requiring consultation with the Allied Command and the British. I made no definite statement but did express the hope that some policy might be evolved, but whatever it is, future conduct would have to be governed by the eventualities of the war, and further that Italy should not provoke such an attack by any act of her own.