ADSS 1.13 Maglione to Amleto Cicognani, Washington: intervention with Mussolini as per FDR's request

ADSS 1.13 Luigi Maglione, Sec State to Amleto Cicognani, Apostolic Delegate, Washington

Reference: Telegram 135 (AES 1868/39)

Location and date: Vatican, 18.04.1939

Summary statement: The Holy See has intervened with Mussolini in support of President Roosevelt’s appeal.

Language: Italian

Text:

Coded telegram Number 267 (1) received.  The Holy Father, who is following the President’s initiatives on behalf of peace closely, regret that the present relations between the Holy See and Germany do not make intervention with Hitler possible.  With regard to Italy, by order of His Holiness, I have approached the Government (2), but, on account of known close collaboration between the Axis Powers, I cannot nourish much hope.

Notes: 

(1) See ADSS 1.10.

(2) No evidence of such a communication has, as yet, been found in the Archivio Segreto Vaticano (Vatican Secret Archives – ASV).