Oration “Pius et misericors” of Pope Pius II (Spring 1459, Siena). Edited and translated by Michael von Cotta-Schönberg. 5th version. (Orations of Enea Silvio Piccolomini / Pope Pius II; 36)

Published as part of project Edition and Translation of the Orations of Enea Silvio Piccolomini / Pope Pius IISome time during the summer of 1459, when Pope Pius had arrived in Mantua for his crusade conference, an embassy from King Juan II of Aragon reached Mantua to present the king’s obedience to the pape and to participate in the conference on the king’s behalf. The Aragonese ambassador gave the oration “Conditor omnium”, to which the pope replied with the oration “Pius er misericors”, speaking on five themes: supremacy of the Roman Church; his own unworthiness for the exalted office; merits of the king and his House; gratitude for the king’s offer of aid to the projected crusade against the Turks; and benevolence of pope and cardinals towards the king