Letter from Thomas J. Coyne (for Charles Bewley) to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(R. 3/29)

On going to the Vatican on Friday November 15, I was informed that Cardinal Gasparri was not receiving on account of an attack of rheumatism. I accordingly visited Mgr. Pizzardo, and asked him whether any developments had taken place with regard to the appointment of a nuncio. He said that the Pope had given his attention to the matter and that he (Mgr. Pizzardo) thought that he had been able to find the right personality for the position. I expressed my satisfaction at this information, and inquired when the appointment was likely to be made. Mgr. Pizzardo said that it was likely in about a month or in the new year. I then said that I was very glad to be able to communicate this to the Government, and asked whether anything might be published. Mgr. Pizzardo replied that what he had said was his deduction from what the Pope had said to him, but that if I wished, he would take the earliest opportunity of speaking to His Holiness and would telephone me the result. I thanked him, and asked if the person appointed would be a nuncio. He said: 'Certainly, since the Government have insisted so strongly on it'. He also referred (I cannot remember exactly in what context) to an undertaking having been given and to its being only a question of time. I said that the information he had given me would give very great pleasure to the Government, as it had done to myself.

While making all allowances for the fact that Mgr. Pizzardo as the result of a genuinely charming disposition is sometimes inclined to give answers erring in the direction of agreeableness, I consider that to day's interview shows very considerable progress, and that there is no longer any fear of the Government being 'let down' by the Vatican authorities. No doubt there will be more delay in making the appointment than Mgr. Pizzardo suggests, but this consideration applies to very many circumstances in Rome. In the meantime, as the very greatest secrecy is being observed here in the whole matter (Fr. O'Gorman, for instance, had not yesterday any idea what considerations are operating in the minds of the authorities) it would be well to regard this communication as strictly confidential. I will of course wire fully when anything is available for publication.