Letters to the King and People of the Tartars (Dei patris immensa and Cum non solum)

Both letters are entered in the register of Innocent IV and are dated at Lyon in the second year of his pontificate, the first on the third day before the nones of March (5 March 1245) and the second on the third day before the ides (13 March). Both are addressed to “the king and people of the Tartars”, without a name, and both end with the same request: that the friars who carry them be received kindly and given safe conduct.

Dei patris immensa is a short statement of the faith and of the pope’s office, and names its bearer as the Franciscan Laurence of Portugal. Cum non solum is a protest and an inquiry, and names its bearer only as “brother J.” and his companions. The editor of the register identifies him with John of Plano Carpini, whose own account of the message he delivered agrees with it. The letters show what the pope asked. For the answer see Letter of Güyük Khan to Pope Innocent IV, and for the whole exchange Franciscan Envoys to the Mongols and the Church of Khanbaliq.