232 W. E. Curtis — Pre-Columbian, Vatican Documents. 



tions made by it for the time being regarding cathedral churches 

 may not meet with opposition, l^ut tliat the persons to be placed 

 over them may be able to preside over the same with pure heart 

 and sincere conscience. Whereas, then, we this day, with the 

 advice of our brothers, provide in your person, acceptable to us 

 and to our brothers, as your merits rec^uire, for the church of 

 S. Maria del Antic;[ua, which, vacant from its early erection till 

 now, we by apostolic authority and counseled by the same 

 brothers have this day erected ; and whereas we intend to place 

 you over it as its bishop and pastor, desiring that this provision 

 and appointment meet with no opposition on account of any eccle- 

 siastical sentences or censures which 3'ou may have been under, 

 we, according to the tenor of these presents, by apostolic authority 

 do absolve you and do declare you absolved henceforth from 

 any excommunication, suspension, etc., to this end only that the 

 aforesaid provision and appointment and all the apostolic letters 

 written above obtain their effect, notwithstanding apostolic con- 

 s-titutions and ordinations and whatsoever others to the contrary ; 

 no one therefore to infringe on our al>solution and declaration, 

 etc. If any one, etc. 



Given at Rome, at Saint Peter's, in the year of the incarna- 

 tion of our Lord one thousand five hundred and thirteen, the 

 fifth day before the kalends of September, in the first year. 



M. XX DE Campania. 



16. 



1002. Letter from Pope Clement VII, dated Rome, June 7, 

 1526, to Friar Francisco de los Angeles, minister-general of the 

 order of Saint Francis, bestowing upon him the apostolic bene- 

 diction upon his departure for America. 



(Translation.) 



Clement VII to Brother Francis of the Angels, minister-general 

 of the order of Saint Francis, beloved son, etc : 

 In our recent conversations with you we have had the occa- 

 sion to admire your spirit of religion and sanctity, your learning 

 and prudence, and ^''our zeal for the honor of God and His Avor- 

 ship, and we are of opinion that such dispositions on your part 

 fully deserve our paternal love and favor. Being minister-gen- 

 eral of the order of Saint Francis because of vour virtues and 



