Dei patris immensa
Encyclopedia
Dei patris immensa was a letter written by Pope Innocent IV
to the Mongols
(the Pope also wrote other letters to the Mongols, which are known as Cum non solum
and Viam agnoscere veritatis
). It was written on March 5, 1245, was an exposition of the Christian faith, and urged Mongols to accept baptism. It was intended to be carried by the Franciscan
friar and papal envoy Laurentius of Portugal. However, nothing more is known about Laurentius' embassy, and it is possible that he never actually left.
, or beginning. This bull starts with similar language to the two other letters, Viam agnoscere veritatis
and Cum non solum
. The bull starts, "...regi et populo Tartarorum viam agnoscere veritatis. Dei patris inmensa benignitas humani generis casum, quod primi hominis culpa corruerat, ineffabili respiciens pietate..." It has been referred to by different names, such as "Dei patris inmensa", "Dei patris immensa", and "Verbum agnoscere" from different scholars choosing different parts of the incipit to refer to it.
Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:...
to the Mongols
Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire , initially named as Greater Mongol State was a great empire during the 13th and 14th centuries...
(the Pope also wrote other letters to the Mongols, which are known as Cum non solum
Cum non solum
Cum non solum was a letter written by Pope Innocent IV to the Mongols on March 13, 1245. In it, Pope Innocent appeals to the Mongols to desist from attacking Christians and other nations, and inquires as to the Mongols' future intentions...
and Viam agnoscere veritatis
Viam agnoscere veritatis (1248)
Viam agnoscere veritatis is the name of a letter written by Pope Innocent IV to the Mongols. It was written on November 22, 1248, and was Pope Innocent's reply to a message from Mongol commander Baiju...
). It was written on March 5, 1245, was an exposition of the Christian faith, and urged Mongols to accept baptism. It was intended to be carried by the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
friar and papal envoy Laurentius of Portugal. However, nothing more is known about Laurentius' embassy, and it is possible that he never actually left.
Naming
Papal bulls are generally named by modern scholars, according to their incipitIncipit
Incipit is a Latin word meaning "it begins". The incipit of a text, such as a poem, song, or book, is the first few words of its opening line. In music, it can also refer to the opening notes of a composition. Before the development of titles, texts were often referred to by their incipits...
, or beginning. This bull starts with similar language to the two other letters, Viam agnoscere veritatis
Viam agnoscere veritatis
Viam agnoscere veritatis or Viam cognoscere veritatis, both meaning "That they know the way of truth", refers to one of the following papal communications from Pope Innocent IV to the Mongols in the 13th century:...
and Cum non solum
Cum non solum
Cum non solum was a letter written by Pope Innocent IV to the Mongols on March 13, 1245. In it, Pope Innocent appeals to the Mongols to desist from attacking Christians and other nations, and inquires as to the Mongols' future intentions...
. The bull starts, "...regi et populo Tartarorum viam agnoscere veritatis. Dei patris inmensa benignitas humani generis casum, quod primi hominis culpa corruerat, ineffabili respiciens pietate..." It has been referred to by different names, such as "Dei patris inmensa", "Dei patris immensa", and "Verbum agnoscere" from different scholars choosing different parts of the incipit to refer to it.