shall greatly miss the friendship, the counsel and the wisdom of the   
 Father. In retrospect it will always be a cherished reflect
 
                                                            
 
 
I should like also to record that at no time has the Pope or   
any member of the Catholic hierarchy intimated, much less suggested, that   
         I become a member of the Catholic Church.          
 
                                                            
 
 
I do not believe that I should embark upon this new  
cycle of history at the Vatican. Therefore, Mr. President,  
mindful of your generosity, your unfailing support and  
constant friendliness, I offer my resignation to become  
effective upon the surrender of Germany. To suggest an earlier retiroment   
would mean that I have deserted the colors. That I have never done and I  
                have no desire to begin now.                
 
                         Sincerely                          
 
                       Myron C. Taylor                      
 
                        Enclosures:                         
 
                 Excerpts from allocutions                  
 
                 of His Holiness the Pope,                  
 
               June 2 and September l, 1944.