To the Clergy and Nobles of Corsica, on the Church of Saona

Gregory to the clergy, and so on. Sent in identical copies.

For a long time it has caused you no sorrow that the church of God should be without a pontiff. We, however, are compelled by the charge of the office we bear, and bound above all by the love we have for you, to take thought for its government, knowing that in caring for it lies at the same time the good of your souls. For if a flock lacks a shepherd’s care, it easily falls into the snares of the one who lies in wait. Accordingly, since the church of Saona has long been without the help of a priest, we have thought it necessary to appoint Martinus, our brother and fellow bishop, its cardinal priest, but to lay on Leo, our brother and fellow bishop, the work of visiting it. To Leo we have also given license to ordain presbyters and deacons in it and in its parishes, and we have allowed him to use its property, as long as he is there, as though he were its own pontiff. So by this letter we urge your love to receive this visitor with all devotion, and to show him obedience in whatever is reasonable, as befits sons of the church, so that, supported by your devotion, he may be able to accomplish everything that is found to serve the good of the church named above. [b]