The Apostolic Delegate at Washington ( Cicognani ) to Mr. Myron C. Taylor, Personal Representative of President Roosevelt to Pope Pius XII 23

No. 492/42

Your Excellency: In further reference to the question of the immunity of the city of Rome from aerial attack, I have just received a communication from His Eminence Cardinal Maglione, Secretary of State to His Holiness.

His Eminence now informs me that the Holy See presented additional Notes to the Italian Government on February 28th and May 22nd, with the purpose of obtaining the removal from Rome and the immediate vicinity of all military objectives.

In response to these communications the Italian Ambassador to the Vatican, by order of his Government, presented a Note on June 9th, outlining the steps taken for the demilitarization of Rome.

In accordance with its Note of December 20, 1942, to the Cardinal Secretary of State, the Italian Government has been effecting the removal from Rome of the Military Commands, and has in fact transferred the Supreme Command and the General Staffs of the Army, Navy and Air Forces.

The Supreme Command and the General Staffs are now in rural districts. At present the only military offices remaining in Rome are the local military office, the historical military office, and other offices of financial and administrative character. However these too are in the process of being removed from the City.

Similar steps have been taken in regard to the German offices of liaison, which have either already followed the respective Italian Commands or are about to do so.

The removal from Rome of these military objectives is being carried out not only in response to the plea of the Holy See for the demilitarization of the City, but also as a part of the process of decentralization which constitutes a necessary phase of the national defense. It is clear however that the local garrison, necessary for the protection and security of the civilian population, must remain in the City.

His Eminence has directed me to make known the sad and dangerous situation in which the Holy See now finds itself. In fact, on several [Page 923] occasions and from various sources, including some newspapers, the Holy See has already been reproached for harboring within the walls of the Vatican the representatives of the United States and of other powers hostile to the Axis.

In the event of a bombardment of Rome there would be considerable probability of an incited or spontaneous uprising of the people, and it would be difficult if not impossible for the Holy See to guarantee the security of the Vatican itself and of the Allied diplomatic personnel. Wheresoever the responsibility of such violence might lie, it will readily be conceded that the Holy See does not dispose of adequate means for preventing it.

His Eminence has taken full cognizance of the possibility that Vatican City State itself may be bombed, either accidentally or deliberately, by one or other of the contending forces. He is obliged however to reassert that in the calm judgment of posterity the full responsibility would fall on the Allies if they give occasion for such a tragic disaster by bombing any part of the City of Rome.

I shall be most grateful if Your Excellency will present the contents of this Note to your Government, and I foster hope that due consideration will be given to the precarious situation that would result for the Holy See if Rome is made the objective of aerial raids.

With the assurances [etc.]

A. G. Cicognani
  1. Copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N.Y.