While I do not presume to deny to those who ask the sacred pledges of relics, with which you have enriched your Gaul through me by a spiritual recompense, it is necessary that I too ask the patronage of the saints from the watering fountain of your apostolate. Although there is still with us something of your gift which ought to be celebrated with the zeal of the catholic religion, yet it also befits a just devotion to understand this: that by the offices of a written discourse directed to you we may catch those addresses by which your pontificate has either, when I was present, taught me by admonitions, or, when I was absent, won me by intercessions. Nor does the present opportunity embrace the full homage of this page;
but, with the deacon appointed as bearer to you, the venerable man Julian, we hasten in spirit to present ourselves to the head of the universal Church. For desire grows by the recollection of benefits: nor can those things ever be washed from my senses which, in your Italy, either the pontifical kindness or the royal courtesy bestowed upon us — since, after the intimacy to be preferred to the advantages of all munificence, because there it more freely loosed my return, thence it more tightly bound my affection. Let a more attentive prayer press on for what remains for your flock. For with the increase of sheep the pastoral guardianship grows.
Presenting us with assiduous commemoration at the sacred thresholds of the apostles, obtain for your special preacher — while I live — advancement where you obtained the beginning. Frequent us with letters, as far as possibility or liberty allows, by which your teaching and your safety may flourish for us. And, as we hoped above, confer upon us the protections of venerable relics, to be sought by us: by the veneration of which we may merit to have both most blessed Peter always in power, and you always in your gift.