Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Frederick H. Boland (Dublin)
(Most Secret)

My dear Fred,
Perhaps you might have a word with the Minister about the attitude to be adopted by Ministers, who come here unofficially, in regard to their audiences with the Holy Father.

Whether the President said that the H.F. expressed himself optimistically about the end of Communism coming 'before the end of His Pontificate' or not precisely that, we should take occasion to prevent misunderstandings in future.

It is de rigueur never to refer to talks with the Holy Father except in so far as they convey a message through the person who has had the Audience. Blessings and salutations come within this category. Nothing else, no matter how trivial it may appear in its consequences, must be publicly revealed.

Such a statement attributed to the Holy Father might mean that He desires an immediate war and believes in its success, or it might mean that He is so foolishly optimistic as to be incapable of judging the unparalleled gravity of the present world situation.

Both implications are highly detrimental to the reputation for prudence and wisdom so rightly enjoyed by the HOLY FATHER.

I think a Press denial would make matters worse, but the H.S. may think differently. We shall see.

In regard to Ministers coming to Rome in future, they should not only exercise particular care with regard to what the H.F. says to them, but they should avoid all contacts with the Press since their visits are strictly non-official. You remember how extremely careful the Minister was during his visit to avoid anything savouring of publicity, and how much it added to the success of the visit. There is always the danger that the H.S. might consider any press interviews, on the part of Ministers on Pilgrimage unofficially, as a departure from their pilgrim capacity. The Holy See will know of the particular Minister's arrival through the request for the Private audience, and my conversations with Monsignor Montini. Outside that, I think it is, in every way to our interest, that the unofficial Minister visitors should avoid press contacts on the way to and from Rome.

I am of the opinion, very strongly, that the President's visit should not have been extended to France, except as a distinguished traveller. Once a second visit, which cannot be described as unofficial, was interpolated, the full significance of the Roman visit became obscured, and of course the risk of misunderstandings increased.

I am sure the Minister will understand the spirit in which I make the above suggestions, and I have no doubt they conform absolutely with his own views.