DEPARTMENT OF STATE                     
                         WASHINGTON                         
 
                                                            
 
 
                       March 1, 1941                        
 
                                                            
 
 
                   My dear Mr. President:                   
                                                            
 
 
I return herewith the letter to you from His Excellency Amleto Giovanni  
Cicognani, Apostilic Delgate,Washington, dated February 15, 1941, transmitting  
a letter from His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, extending congratulations upon  
your reelection to the Presidency of the United States, together with suggested  
replies for your signature, if you approve.  The reply to the Pope has been  
prepared in typewritten form.  You may prefer, however, to have it answered  
in the formal engrossed style in which it was received.  If so, I shall have  
                  it prepared accordingly.                  
 
                                                            
 
 
                     Faithfully yours,                      
                   (signed) Sumner Welles                   
 
                                                            
 
 
                        Enclosures:                         
                      letter from His                       
                     Excellency Amleto                      
                     Giovanni Cicognani                     
                      of Februaury 15;                      
                      letter from Pope                      
                          Pius XII                          
 
                                                            
 
 
                       The President,                       
                        The White House.