Office of the Historian

121.866A/2

President Roosevelt to Mr. Myron G. Taylor

Washington, December 23, 1939.7

My Dear Mr. Taylor: Reposing special faith and confidence in you I am asking you to proceed at your early convenience to Italy, there to act as my personal representative, with the rank of Ambassador, to His Holiness, Pope Pius XII. My purpose in entrusting you with this mission was set forth in my letter of December 23, 1939 to the Pope, a copy of which is enclosed.7a I am also asking you personally to convey a further communication to His Holiness.8

[Page 874]

I may from time to time request you to serve as the channel of communication for any views I may wish to exchange with the Pope. You will, of course, communicate to this Government any matters which may come to your attention in the performance of your mission which you may feel will serve the best interest of the United States.

With all best wishes for the success of your mission, I am,

Very sincerely yours,

Franklin D. Roosevelt
  1. File copy dated December 23, 1939, but letter was not sent until February 4, 1940.↩
  2. Ante, p. 871.↩
  3. Presumably letter dated February 14, 1940, not printed.↩