ADSS 1.242 Maglione notes: rumours

ADSS 1.242 Luigi Maglione, Sec State, notes

Reference: AES Germany 774

Location and date: Vatican, 10.01.1940

Summary statement: Hungarian ambassador reported UK and French gov’ts are anxious over Holy See and secret dealings with Germany.

Language: Italian

Text:

I received the visit of His Excellency the Minister of Hungary (1).  He tells me that Great Britain and France are anxious because the Holy See is dealing secretly with the Germans.  To my query he replies he was informed about his by the French Ambassador to the Holy See (2).

Notes: 

(1) Gabriel Apor (1889-1969) Hungarian Ambassador to the Holy See, 1939-44.

(2) Added by hand: “Sent note immediately to the Holy Father who called the British Minister in the next day.”  There were secret negotiations in progress for the visit of German Foreign Minister, Joachim Ribbentrop, to the Holy See.  See ADSS 1.254 n1.