In the year 1250, Marco Polo’s father Nicolo, and his uncle
Maffio, departed Venice on a trade expedition. During their travels, they met Kublai Khan, who inquired about
their lives, culture, government, and their religion. In his autobiography/travel journal, Marco
Polo records, “He questioned them particularly respecting the pope,
the affairs of the church, and the religious worship and doctrine of the
Christians.” The Khan had so many
questions that he appointed them his ambassadors to the Pope. As the Polo brothers journeyed home, they
took a letter from the Khan, petitioning the Pope for 100 Christian
scholars who could explain to him every aspect of their faith.
Back then, before automobiles and airplanes, a journey that
takes us hours might last years. In 1269,
as Nicolo and Maffio headed toward Rome, they stopped in the Christian-held
city of Acre in Israel. There they
learned that Clement IV had died, and a new Pope had yet to be appointed. The brothers met a legate named Teobaldo
Visconti, who advised them to await the selection of the next Pope before
making further plans. So the brothers took
the opportunity to visit their families in Venice.
At that time, the Cardinals of the Catholic Church faced significant considerations. Charles
of Anjou, the younger brother of King Louis of France, had usurped the throne
of Sicily, and inserted himself in all aspects of Italian politics. In addition to the Cardinals' travel time, the conclave would prove the longest in history, the latter eventually lasting nearly three
years. But before it ended, the Polos grew impatient. Fearing the great Khan’s wrath
at the unexpected delay, they departed Venice, and took young Marco with them.
As the Papal Conclave continued, the citizens of Viterbo also
grew tired of waiting. So they locked
the Cardinals into the Palazzo dei Papi di Viterbo, and only allowed them bread
and water. Likewise, the selection
process took its toll on the Cardinals: three died during the conclave, and
another resigned. But eventually they made their decision. Who did they choose to steer the Church into the future? Someone nearby, whose work and
character were readily observable? No,
they chose the legate Teobaldo Visconti, stationed in the city of
Acre in Israel, and assisting King Edward I of England on the Ninth
Crusade.
After Visconti, or Pope Gregory X, learned of the Cardinals' selection, he sent letters to all the cities the Polos might visit on their journey to the
Khan. As he was wrapping up his affairs
in Acre, he could not spare the 100 advisors Kublai Khan had requested. So instead he sent two friars, Nicolo Vicenza
and Gurelmo da Tripoli, along with some presents for the Khan. Marco records: “To them [the priests] he gave
license and authority to ordain priests, to consecrate bishops, and to grant
absolution as fully as he could do in his own person.”
The Polos’ journey, and the papal conclave, took longer than
anyone could have predicted. But sometimes it
takes longer to accomplish tasks than we would prefer. So never give up your pursuit of
excellence. For, as the case of Teobaldo
Visconti demonstrates, others are always watching, and rewards you would never have expected might
lie in your future.
Dragon Dave
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