To the illustrious, Herr Adolf Hitler, Führer and Chancellor of the German Reich!
Here at the beginning of our pontificate we wish to assure you that we remain devoted to the spiritual welfare of the German people entrusted to your leadership. For them we implore God the Almighty to grant them that true felicity which springs from religion.
We recall with great pleasure the many years we spent in Germany as Apostolic Nuncio, when we did all in our power to establish harmonious relations between Church and State. Now that the responsibilities of our pastoral function have increased our opportunities, how much more ardently do we pray to reach that goal.
May the prosperity of the German people and their progress in every domain come, with God’s help, to fruition!
Given this day, 6th March 1939, in Rome at St. Peter’s in the first year of our pontificate.
Pope Pius XII
