he was walking along a way where there was a very high tree. Coming
near it, he went under it to admire it, when all on a sudden he felt
himself raised up in the air by divine power, so that he had reached
the top of the tree, and that from thence he easily made the tallest
branches bend quite to the ground. The Holy Spirit pointed out to him
that this was a presage of the favorable issue of his application to
the Apostolic throne. This filled him with joy, and his recital of it
to his brethren renovated their courage.

The Bishop of Assisi, whom they found at Rome, received them with great
kindness. The sight of them at first gave him some uneasiness, being
apprehensive that it was their intention to leave his diocese, and
that his people would be deprived of the examples of these holy men.
But having learnt from them the motive of their journey, he promised
them to use his influence in their favor, and gave them hopes of
succeeding through the intervention of Cardinal John of St. Paul,
Bishop of Sabina, who was his intimate friend.

This prelate was of the Colonna family; he was the friend of the poor,
and of all worthy persons; he was respected for his many eminent
qualities, and had great authority at the Roman court. What the Bishop
of Assisi had already told him of Francis and his companions, of their
holy life, and of the singularity of their Institute, had excited in
him a great wish to see them. As soon as he had heard of their arrival,
he had them brought to his palace, received them with great honor, and
was so pleased with their conversation, that, after having assured
them of his favor, he begged them to consider him from thenceforward
as one of themselves. He also declared himself their protector, and
by his interference he soon procured for them the friendship of the
principal persons in the Sacred College, particularly that of Cardinal