I had no real need of being presented to the Pope by anyone, as any Christian is at liberty to go in when he sees the door open. Besides I had known His Holiness when he was Bishop of Padua; but I had preferred to claim the honor of being introduced by a cardinal.
After saluting the Head of the Faithful, and kissing the holy cross embroidered on his holy slipper, the Pope put his right hand on my left shoulder, and said he remembered that I always forsook the assembly at Padua, when he intoned the Rosary.
“Holy Father, I have much worse sins than that on my conscience, so I come prostrate at your foot to receive your absolution.”
He then gave me his benediction, and asked me very graciously what he could do for me.
“I beg Your Holiness to plead for me, that I may be able to return to Venice.”
“We will speak of it to the ambassador, and then we will speak again to you on the matter.”
“Do you often go and see Cardinal Passionei?”
“I have been three times. He gave me his funeral oration on Prince Eugene, and in return I sent him the ‘Pandects’.”
“Has he accepted them?”
“I think so, Holy Father.”