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March 5. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to the king and people of the Mongols (Tartari), explaining the basics of Christianity and the pope's role as successor of the one who received the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven as Christ's vicar. It is the pope's office to care for the addressees' and all others' souls, but because he cannot be everywhere, and he does not want to be negligent by his absence, the pope sends wise men in his stead. Thus he is sending to the addressees Brother Lawrence of Portugal (Laurentius de Portugallia) and his associates of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), the bearers of the present letter, decent men who know Holy Scripture, to inform the addressees about God's Son Jesus Christ so that they worship His glorious name in observing the Christian faith. He urges the addressees to receive the friars kindly and treat them honourably out of reverence for God, discussing with them the above and providing them safe conduct in coming and going and other necessities so that they can return safely to the pope's presence. The pope closes by stressing that he has chosen these friars because they have proven themselves in their religious life and their knowledge of Scripture and will be more useful for the addressees. If he had thought that prelates or more powerful men would be better for the task, he would have sent them instead.