Oration “Christiani reges” of Pope Pius II (March 1459, Siena). Edited and translated by Michael von Cotta-Schönberg. 5th version. (Orations of Enea Silvio Piccolomini / Pope Pius II; 32)

Published as part of project Edition and Translation of the Orations of Enea Silvio Piccolomini / Pope Pius IIIn the spring of 1459, Pope Pius II stayed in Siena for two months. During that time, he received a number of embassies from the rulers of Europe, coming to declare their lord’s obedience to the new pope and the Apostolic See. In his oration “Christiani reges” to the ambassadors of King Matthias I of Hungary, the pope accepts their declaration of obedience, speaks about the heroic resistance of the Hungarians against the Turks, and finally praises the king, assuring him of the support of the Apostolic See